Eberle just isn't a captain to me. He's a quiet gentlemanly type... not necessarily the guy who takes a dressing room by storm. Not necessarily a bad thing, it's just his personality. Nuge is definately not a "letter on his shirt" kind of guy. He's still the young kid on the squad, and isn't the one I would imagine is going to rev up the squad.
Smid is an obvious choice for the A imo. He takes pain every game for the good of the team and is well liked in the dressing room. Lander seems like from his history that he'd make a good alternate captain. Smitty is Smitty so he gets an A.
Hall. His desire to win and the way he carries this team is just...wow, unmatched. If not Hall, I think it would have to be Smid, but he just doesn't have the leadership qualities nor ability to carry the team like Hallsy.
We're looking at 2 years down the line. By then, Hall will be 21-22ish. Young, but certainly within the realm of other young superstars being named.
If Hall isn't captain, they should alternate captains for a year or two among a few players, like the Wild used to. Hall, Smyth, Smid, Eberle, Gilbert...maybe another player or two.
EBerle and Hall are still a few years away from wearing the C imo. 5 years from now I think it will be obvious that RNH is the captain of this team.
In the meantime, if not Horco, then Smytty. He should wear the C for a while here.
I whole-heartedly agree. Smyth needs to be a captain here for at least a season. It wouldn't be right to see him retire without that honour.
I think it'll be sooner than we realize, too. I would guess in 2.3 season's time, Horc will be bought out or in the minors, and Smyth will get 1, maybe 2 years as the captain of this club.