If Hejduk had held onto the captaincy for another year, then they would have just given it to Lando next summer anyway. This was going to happen at some point, it just happened now. I hated the idea of no captain last year, and giving it to someone for a short period of time, only to have Landeskog take it in the future would have been pointless.
Granted, he hasn't been around a long time, but with everything he's shown up to this point in his young career (and in Juniors), I don't have any doubts he can handle this. When the Avs needed to get something done last year, it was always Landeskog or O'Reilly leading the way.
I get it you love Landeskog but people are allowed to have a different opinion. I think this was too soon and it could be a burden for him.
Having watched him play in his draft year and this past season I am 100% confident in his abilities to lead. He clearly has the respect of the players on the team, even the veterans. For the time being all he has to do is play as a leader and the team will follow.
He's a unique player and I truly don't think this will be any type of burden on him.
I don't like this move just because I predicted it and like Landeskog. The kid is a proven warrior and proven leader. That's why I like it.
I'm an Avs fan more than a Landeskog fan. This is the right move for the franchise from top to bottom.
I woke up and opened my browser and I have the Avs official site as my homepage so I expected no news today. I expected the National TV broadcast thing to be the top news but then I saw this. I'm a little scared but I'm also very excited. I definitely did not expect this.
You mean like leading his team to the conference finals twice and the Cup finals once? Yeah, no one wants that.
I appreciate that you're a Kitchener/Flyers fan but I was talking more about his attitude in the lockerroom and the drinking. You know the thing caused him to fall out of favor in Philly.
Little earlier than I expected. We see his incredible leadership qualities on this ice; but to name a 19 year old a captain they must be even more impressive in the locker room.
I would have thought that we'd do a rotating captaincy between O'Reilly/Stastny/Johnson/Landeskog and maybe Duchene and one of EJ/ROR would've been made captain afterwards but not a big surprise, just the timing is weird.
However this mgmt is weird to begin with so go with the flow I guess.
I would have thought that we'd do a rotating captaincy between O'Reilly/Stastny/Johnson/Landeskog and maybe Duchene and one of EJ/ROR would've been made captain afterwards but not a big surprise, just the timing is weird.
However this mgmt is weird to begin with so go with the flow I guess.
Huh? If anything, rotating captains would have been the weird choice.
I appreciate that you're a Kitchener/Flyers fan but I was talking more about his attitude in the lockerroom and the drinking. You know the thing caused him to fall out of favor in Philly.
I don't want to derail this thread, but quit swallowing the BS the Philly media spews.
Back on topic, Landeskog oozes leadership and it was only a matter of time until he wore the C.
I think I would be happier if this was a year or two in the future. But really, due to timing it only made sense
And really, if there's anyone in the NHL I trust to pick a captain it's Joe Sakic. Have to believe he had a bit of input in this as well.
Now if someone could tell me where I could go to get a C sewn on the my Avs jersey? Does the pepsi center do things like that?
Very surprised/shocked by this but it was going to happen eventually. Most people expected Landeskog or O'Reilly to take over next season after Hejduk retires. Just ended up happening a year earlier. If anyone can handle the pressure of being the captain of a team after just one season in the NHL, it's Landeskog.
It also seems like many of the players are happy with it. Stastny, Duchene, O'Reilly, Jones, McGinn, O'Byrne, and O'Brien all sent out their tweets.
Landeskog, Hejduk, and Sacco will be meeting with the media at 4 PM. Hopefully the Avs website posts the video afterwards.
Something for O'Reilly fans to keep in mind, is that it's not impossible for O'Reilly to be a leader of this team...just because he doesn't have a letter doesn't mean that he can't lead.
O'Reilly will get an "A" at some point. Whether it's rotated, or if it's after Duke retires.
Every scouting report I've read, this players has said to have the intangibles to be dubbed as a future captain. This is HUGE praise for Landeskog, but I also see people writing him off as a 50-60 point winger, which I think he clearly has much more potential than that, especially since he'll be fed passes by Duchene.
This highlight clip shows Landeskog's dominance physically, defensively and he can score at a high rate as well. This screams Mike Richards/Jonathan Toews in the making, so why is he ranked below guys like Huberdeau, Couturier and Larsson?
Gabriel Landeskog is not a grinding forward, He had a similar GPG pace as Taylor Hall did in his draft year and likely could have potted 40 goals if he hadn't been injured and left for the WJC. He is a likely ROY candidate for the Avs as all signs point to him playing top 6 minutes right off the bat.
Just needed to get this off my chest hehe.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kershaw
At this rate, he may break 60 points in his rookie year.....
Future Colorado Avalanche captain right here. They are grooming him into this role, similar to the Hawks announcing Toews captain.
Him and O'Reilly have been a lethal pair so far, I've underestimated Colorado in the other threads about Varly and their defense, but they look good so far.
Not to gloat.... but.
Looking back at the draft threads, Landeskog is pretty damn underrated.
I do not see "leading" as a burden in any way, shape or form to Landeskog. He is a natural. It's not hard for him to lead. It's hard for him and takes concentration for him NOT to lead...I do not expect it to affect his on-ice play at all.
