With the departure of Claude Giroux, the Flyers will be looking to name a new player to be the 20th captain in franchise history. This is a decision that is always difficult for a team to make, and this season will be as such for this team. I can think of four guys who can certainly become the next captain and they aren’t necessarily the best guy on the ice by any means.
In recent years, the criteria for being named the captain of your team have changed. It has come a long way from just being the best guy on your team. A captain needs to be a leader, a hard worker, and someone who brings energy night in and night out. As Torts said, they must be ready to practice and not just show up. They also need to be a positive force in the locker room and someone who can change the culture…I mean, the standard, of this team and franchise moving forward.
Kevin Hayes, Sean Couturier, and Cam Atkinson are all guys who can get the C for this upcoming season. While each player brings something different to the table, the thing they all have is the respect of their teammates.
While most of the fanbase most likely wants Sean Couturier due to him being homegrown and giving us his blood, sweat, broken bones, torn muscles, and tears over his tenure, he is still rivaled by a few players in the locker room. It also doesn’t help with him being hurt for so long and out of the room.
The question in everyone’s mind when it comes to picking the next captain is leadership. Cam Atkinson, Sean Couturier, and Kevin Hayes all said what needed to be said best in their recent media availabilities that even without having a letter on their chest, they should be leading by example. Anyone can be a leader. It is just a matter of playing tough and the right way.
In the past, the captain was always the best player on your team. That necessarily is not the case anymore. Anyone can have a letter as long as they lead and play the right way.
Sean Couturier
The obvious fan favorite to wear the C and the most loved guy by this city. The former Selke winner plays hard and puts his body on the line night in and night out. Whether it is shutting down the opposing team’s best line, blocking shots, controlling the tempo, and overall playing a 200-foot game, there is nothing Couturier can’t do, except maybe stay healthy.
The last full season Couturier played was the 19-20 campaign. This was a shortened season due to the Covid pause so it has people questioning if he would’ve remained healthy heading into the playoffs if they would have played the extra 15-20 games they had left.
Couturier looks healthy and looks stronger. This is going to be a big season for him as he will be asked to answer a lot of questions. Can he play without Claude Giroux? Is he a leader? Can he play a full 82-game season? These are major concerns for Couturier entering this new season.
During his most recent media availability, he discussed everyone’s excitement for this new season. Couturier also discussed just how embarrassed this group is from last season and how the players have a chip on their shoulder. They returned to the area early and are ready to go.
"”Eveyone’s pushing themselves, whether it’s in the gym or on the ice…We’re trying to push ourselves, we’re trying to get a jump start. Everyone’s here early, buying into this process.”"
Having a healthy Couturier helps make this lineup dangerous once again. As a 200-foot player, he can also control the pace of the game. Couturier also helps solidify your top line. Sean Couturier is one of the best, if not, your best player. Making him captain would make sense as he is the longest-tenured player currently on this roster with the recent departure of Claude Giroux.
Kevin Hayes
Of course, Kevin Hayes is an option due to his leadership and actions. When Hayes came to Philadelphia, people were unsure if his contract was going to be worth the money, but his first season was a game changer. Hayes brought stability to this lineup and allowed Claude Giroux to move to the wing full-time.
The biggest thing Hayes brought was something that was intangible, leadership and respect. He brought laughter and lightheartedness to this locker room. Something fans have never really seen before. His mic’d-up games showed us another side of a hockey player. The team respects him and speaks highly of him, especially new head coach John Tortorella.
"“I want to try to help him, because, if I can help him and make him understand that we’re going to try to get him to another level, what does he do for the Flyers organization up the middle of the ice? I’ve watched him from afar, and there’s more there. And it’s my responsibility to try to get that out of him.”"
Tortorella sees high expectations for Hayes and a whole different level of play. Kevin Hayes has the same respect for Coach Tortorella as well.
"“I think Torts is gonna hold all the players that make up this team accountable. That’s how you win. You want every single one of your guys, whether it’s your best player or a fourth line guy, to be be held accountable.”"
It is going to be exciting to see Hayes fully healthy this season. It seemed like at the end of last season, things were getting put back together for Hayes and his game began to flow. His being healthy again solidifies the middle of the ice alongside Sean Couturier.
Cam Atkinson
The last on the list and the newest to this team, Cam Atkinson brings a lot of hockey experience to this team. He had an extremely disappointing season and one the entire fanbase and organization did not expect. Atkinson is just as embarrassed as everyone else and is ready to turn things around.
Atkinson wore a letter on his chest for years in Columbus and is a well-respected player in this locker room and around the league. Atkinson has appeared as a dark horse to acquire the C but something tells me he won’t.
"”It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’ve played, or how much money you make. We’re gonna play the right way, and we’re gonna play hard.”"
This is the makings of a leader and Atkinson also said that he understands his role in the locker room and will be the guy the Flyers need, whether he has a letter on his sweater or not.