Chris Tanev’s exit from the Vancouver Canucks means Travis Green will have to name a new assistant captain. Here are the most likely candidates.
Dating back to when Daniel and Henrik Sedin were still playing for the Vancouver Canucks, the team’s alternate captains have, for the most part, remained the same. Alex Edler, Chris Tanev and Brandon Sutter have all proudly worn the “A” over their hearts for the Canucks since 2016, but a vacancy has opened up now that Tanev is a member of the Calgary Flames.
Travis Green will likely keep his current captains as they are, but when it comes to naming a new alternate before next season, he has a tough decision to make. There are several veterans worthy of the title, but there are definitely some capable young stars who could rise to the challenge. Let’s take a look at the most likely candidates to fill the role for the 2021 campaign.
The veterans
J.T. Miller
He absolutely burst onto the scene in Vancouver and proved to be a leader both in the locker room and on the ice. J.T. Miller has been a grand slam for the Canucks since his arrival in 2019, and it wouldn’t be surprising at all if Green were to name him an assistant captain for 2021.
There isn’t anything this guy can’t do, and he proved that in a very big way last season. Scoring 72 points (27 goals, 45 assists) in 69 games was enough to be the team leader. He tied for the team lead in goals (27), tied for the team lead in power play points (25), played PK minutes, took crucial faceoffs, and even took players like Jake Virtanen under his wing.
Naming Miller an alternate captain would be the perfect nod to his incredible first-year as a Vancouver Canuck. It would be very well deserved as he looks to return to the ice next season on a similar path of offensive destruction.
Tyler Myers
With Tanev out of the picture, it makes sense that Tyler Myers would become the “new dad” on the team. And with that in mind, maybe he’s in line for a promotion to alternate captain.
After all, he’s already taken on the responsibility of keeping players in line. According to Vancouverisawesome, during the offseason, he’s been inviting Jake Virtanen over each morning to work out with him at his house in Kelowna. This is what Virtanen had to say about it:
"“I work out with Tyler Myers every morning at his house, he has a gym. Mysie’s a different animal in the gym. He trains really hard. I head over every morning and from the training to the eating habits and meal plans and the whole thing, we’re both doing it together, which is pretty unreal. It’s nice to have a teammate doing it with me.”"
Green is known to favour his vets, and he knows that the 30-year-old defender is more than capable of filling the role. He’s never been an official alternate, but he’s taken the letter under the circumstances of an injured player.
Being a 12-year NHLer and a top-four defender, it wouldn’t be too shocking if Myers wears the “A” at some point in 2021. But I wouldn’t put my money on him being the first choice.