This point is such a red herring.

It's like the black quarterback thing in the states. A tiresome cliche that doesn't really tell you a whole lot. Obviously if every quarterback in the league is white for decades, and there is a long-standing prejudice coming from coaches, players, fans and media that black people can't be quarterbacks, etc..., it's going to be a hard road to make it as a black quarterback, and will take time to overcome the stereotype.

Here's a genius concept: maybe it's tough to be a European captain because so many players, media, fans and coaches hold at least mild prejudices against European players? Hmmm....that sure would be shocking.

The truth is there have been very few European captains. The league is becoming more European. Over time there will be more European captains. Eventually someone will do it. So what? Is it really a reason not to chose a European as your captain if he happens to be the most respected player on the team, the one with the most heart, etc...? Who cares?

I'm not going to say that European players haven't tended to be softer, more skill-showboat oriented, etc...that's the style of game over there, although things are becoming more the same all over these days, but there are plenty plenty plenty of exceptions, and those are the guys (for the most part - let's not talk about Yashin) who are being named captain.
I challenge anyone to say that Sundin, for example, is not a quality captain who has shown time and time again that he can pull the pathetic Laffs far beyond the level of their talent. Who should it be instead? Lindros? McCabe? Allison? dare I say Tucker?
C'mon! I bet you won't hear Quinn complaining about Sundin in his tell-all memoirs. No, he'll be up there with Gilmour.


-- Edited by plouf at 22:20, 2006-05-19