On SN960 Eric Francis thinks there are multiple candidates in the room, but it could take past mid-season for Sutter to name a Captain.
In 2021-2022 Sutter chose to place the Associate Captain's patch on 4 players, who ended up being Sean Monahan, Matthew Tkachuk, Mikael Backlund, and Chris Tanev after losing Mark Giordano to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft in July 2021.
Now, it appears with the loss of Monahan and Tkachuk, Kadri may be an obvious choice. But with the return of Tanev in the near future and Backlund's commitment to Calgary, being with the team since 2008-2009 maybe he really is the heir apparent to the Captaincy.
Naming Nazem Kadri Captain isn't a bad idea either, seeing him fresh off a Stanley Cup win and being a pivotal part of that Colorado Avalanche team gives weight to a claim to leadership as well.
He signed long-term with the Flames, so for now his dedication to the Flames is very apparent.
Sutter will have a difficult choice to make, with all of the options available.
POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 10 | 170 ANSWERS Should The Calgary Flames Name A Captain? Who should be the Calgary Flames captain? | ||
Nazem Kadri | 29 | 17.1 % |
Chris Tanev | 37 | 21.8 % |
Mikael Backlund | 54 | 31.8 % |
Other | 50 | 29.4 % |
List of polls |