Canucks News: Making Bo Horvat Captain for 2017-18 Season
Bo Horvat is the Vancouver Canucks’ future captain, there’s little doubt about it. But how soon can and should he take on that role?
Vancouver Canucks centre Bo Horvat is emerging as the team’s new top player. Now 57 games into the season, Horvat holds the team lead in goals (17) and points (38). And with his work ethic and character, there is little doubt that captaincy is next.
Back in July, I talked about Jeff Paterson’s column on giving Horvat the ‘A’. At the time, I argued Horvat was carrying too much pressure already, and that it might be too early for any kind of captaincy. But, I also said he should get the ‘A’ at the end of the 2016-17 season.
Is Horvat ready to skip the ‘A’, though?
Make Him Captain This Summer
Jeff Paterson (Canucks Army) — Skip the ‘A’ and Just Give Horvat the ‘C’ This Summer
"Last summer, in a Province column, I lobbied for the Vancouver Canucks to bring Bo Horvat into their leadership group and make him an alternate captain. I have since revised my thinking on the matter. Now, I want them to skip the A altogether and just give him the captain’s C this off-season."
Sidney Crosby was once the NHL’s youngest captain of all time.
Then, Gabriel Landeskog took his place after one season of pro hockey.
In 2016, Connor McDavid was named captain in Edmonton at an even younger age then Landeskog.
What’s the point of that?
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In my opinion, the captain should be someone who leads by example. Someone with great work ethic, strong character and someone who is well-respected in the locker room. If that player is one of the top players on his team, that’s a plus, but bottom-line players can be terrific captains, too.
One of the most important factors, however, is experience. A captain needs experience.
I’m not normally old-fashioned about stuff like that. I don’t think fighting is necessary and I support analytics. I don’t think you need a hockey background to work in the business.
But when it comes to captains, yeah, I’m a little old-fashioned.
So, going into next season, I definitely would not make Horvat captain.
Reason 1: The twins are still there and I would not take the ‘C’ away from Henrik Sedin.
Reason 2: Horvat does not have much experience yet.
Reason 3: Horvat is finally thriving under added pressure. He doesn’t need another (metric) ton of pressure weighing on his shoulders next season.
Next: 3 Reasons Not to Trade for Matt Duchene
Sure, sew on ‘A’ on Horvat’s jersey. Make him a part of the leadership group. Allow him to represent the younger players in leadership decisions and discussions.
But bring him along slowly.