What lack of leadership

mperra (Admin) · Guru

What lack of leadership

barry33 · Guru

mperra (Admin) wrote:

The Canadiens have 6 players playing in the Olympics. of which, three are team captains for their respective hockey squad. Saku Koivu (Findland), Mark Streit (Switzerland), Alex Kovalev (Russia). And these captains, expecially Koivu and Streit are extremely respected byb their clubs. So why not the same gratitude here? Dod they do anything differently on the Canadiens team? After reading Barry's post, this has to be the most dysfunctional Habs team I ever came across. Mario

mario- the difference is that there is a HUGE difference between being captain of your country's team and trying to lead a group of diverse players form different backgrounds. It is easy to go to an Olympics or world championship and lead a bunch of players who are all on the same page and want to do whatever it takes to win. Guys like Koivu, Streit and Kovalev are viewed as GODS in their countries. The young players look up to them. It is not always the case in the NHL. Sometimes you are just another player. You need to work harder to earn the respect of your teamates and you do not get it by default.

heet_150 · Guru

To add to that Barry, we are talking about guys that have been captains of their teams since they were knee high to a grasshopper. They were probably never cut or given any type of discipline. More often than not, they were probably coddled throughout their careers. Now they need to understand that a captain isn't chosen solely on talent. A captain is a guy that can lead either by example, or by taking charge when the cameras aren't on them (and sometimes when they are), and not just being able to deke a guy out of his jockstrap.

Power · Veteran Member

From Barrys text want to do whatever it takes to win In my opinnion it should be same thing in NHL, and if it´s not then should GMs trade these losers, because you are never going to win anything if there is players on the team who just hang around because it´s fun and they pay me big $$$$$$

From Heets text They were probably never cut or given any type of discipline. More often than not, they were probably coddled throughout their careers. IF I understand this right you are now saying that you can´t be good captain if you are born and raised somewhere else than Canada or USA, because these are only places where players in their junior age are given some discipline and isn´t coddled

Now they need to understand that a captain isn't chosen solely on talent. A captain is a guy that can lead either by example, or by taking charge when the cameras aren't on them (and sometimes when they are), and not just being able to deke a guy out of his jockstrap Do you think that Koivu doesn´t understand that? I don´t know why Koivu have been selected as captain in Montreal, because I get the feeling that there is majority in fans that don´t like his work in that department, and even some players are in the same boat with fans. Yes, that team is dispersed to parts that are from different places and different cultures, but I think that it isn´t only captains job to unite these different parts. It´s part of his job yes, but there is no captain that can keep all of these parts happy at the same time, without help from these parts or from team management.

heet_150 · Guru

Power wrote:

From Barrys text want to do whatever it takes to win In my opinnion it should be same thing in NHL, and if it´s not then should GMs trade these losers, because you are never going to win anything if there is players on the team who just hang around because it´s fun and they pay me big $$$$$$ From Heets text They were probably never cut or given any type of discipline. More often than not, they were probably coddled throughout their careers. IF I understand this right you are now saying that you can´t be good captain if you are born and raised somewhere else than Canada or USA, because these are only places where players in their junior age are given some discipline and isn´t coddled Now they need to understand that a captain isn't chosen solely on talent. A captain is a guy that can lead either by example, or by taking charge when the cameras aren't on them (and sometimes when they are), and not just being able to deke a guy out of his jockstrap Do you think that Koivu doesn´t understand that? I don´t know why Koivu have been selected as captain in Montreal, because I get the feeling that there is majority in fans that don´t like his work in that department, and even some players are in the same boat with fans. Yes, that team is dispersed to parts that are from different places and different cultures, but I think that it isn´t only captains job to unite these different parts. It´s part of his job yes, but there is no captain that can keep all of these parts happy at the same time, without help from these parts or from team management.

Actually Power, although what I typed seems to infer that I was talking about the three Habs, I was referring to all NHL caliber players when I spoke about how these guys were more than likely the captain's of every team they have played for - Canadian, American, Finnish, French, etc.. The point I was trying to make, is that being placed on a pedestal for their entire careers, it may come as a shock when they aren't made captain, or aren't the highest played player.

As far as my thoughts on why a captain is chosen, it was in support of Koivu. I think he is a leader by example. I don't think anyone is expecting 50 goals a year from him, while there is someone on the team that certainly could score 50 in a season, if only he would show up for every game. Koivu goes out and gives it his all in nearly every game. Sure he has had trouble finding the net, or getting points lately, but he is only human. I am not in the dressing room, so I can't speak as to whether or not he is a vocal leader, by calling guys out, or whatever.

habs93 · Veteran Member

At the time of Saku becoming/named team captain it came down to Saku and Shane Corson in a close vote (I believe the players picked the captain at the time) so I believe it has been good to have stability at the captain's position through good times and bad......