«We hope to but that's a decision with Mr. Melnyk and Pierre. Everybody will be involved because it's a big-time important decision,» said head coach D.J. Smith, when questioned about a potential captain for 2021-22. «But we feel we're at that time now where we're as close as we've been to naming a guy. It's time for someone to be the leader of this group.»
However, Garrioch claims that the team's contract negotiations with Tkachuk may effect the captaincy decision. After all, Eugene Melnyk owns this team, and crossing him means putting a "C" on your chest.
«That's going to be what we're thinking about all summer and whether he's the person for that,» said Melnyk'. «It would have to be someone who's got to be around for the long-term. That's the key for us. You can't have a captain there on a bridge contract. It's not going to happen.
«I just think there has to be a face to it. We have plenty of guys who are leaders and could be captains but I just think if you look at the Stanley Cup winners they all have captains and they've had the same captain for three, four or five years,» Smith said. «It's the voice of that team, the direction of that team and I think the real successful teams have their captains for a long time."
