November 2, 2009.
At the beginning of the season, Ron Wilson said the next captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs would be named in mid to late November when the right player emerged. The three candidates were defencemen Mike Komisarek, Francois Beauchemin and long time Maple Leaf Tomas Kaberle. 12 games into the season, with a 1-7-4 record, the Leafs appear in dire need of somebody to emerge as the next Mats Sundin. We have not had any player, out of the three candidates or the rest of the team, show any signs of improvement or leadership... until now.
Tomas Kaberle was just named the NHL first star of the week after scoring 12 points in four games this week, including a career five point night in Anaheim against the Ducks. After years of trade rumours surrounding Kaberle, being the last of the "Frozen Five" that refused to remove their trade clauses two years ago to help the Leafs build for the future, Leaf fans are actually rejoicing that Kaberle chose not to remove his trade clause and remain a Maple Leaf. Now with 17 points in 12 games, he has been the lone bright spot for the team, and the most deserving player for the Maple Leafs captaincy. I would personally like to say thank you Tomas! You have consistently been the best Leaf for the last 3 years and you have my vote for the next captain for the world's greatest hockey team. For the record, if Kessel needs a puck moving centre, why not see what Kaberle can do next to him? He has been one of the best puck moving D-men in the league and he might just be the perfect set-up man for Kessel.
In other Leafs news today, reports say Phil Kessel is only one test away from making his debut in a Toronto Maple Leafs uniform. He is taking a final test Monday, which he is expected to pass, and be cleared to play his first game this season on Tuesday night in Toronto against the under-achieving Tampa Bay Lightning. Jonas Gustavsson is expected to get the start Tuesday night.
1 comments:
Its hard to choose a captain when more than half the team has been involved in trade rumors over the last yr.
Kaberle is our best, most experienced (as a leaf) player. Quiet by nature, but always reliable on the ice.
Personally i dont think a captain is neccessary, unless there's a hands down obvious choice.
Give it to Ian White, that would shut off the White trade rumours hopefully :)
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