Eric Staal is the new Captain

[Melindaaaaaa [26]]

hurricanes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=514280&navid=DL|CAR|home

And for what it's worth, Brindy had final say in the matter: hurricanes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=514291&navid=DL|CAR|home

Thoughts? Opinions?

[mslarose27]

I'm happy for Eric and think he'll be a good Captain. He has to grow into it - this is 100% HIS team now - and I think he will. He struggles with pressure sometimes, so it'll be interesting to see how he handles it these next few months. But the leadership qualities are there, without a doubt in my opinion. I know some people don't like him, and that's cool if we all liked the same people life would be damn boring, but I hope he's given a chance.

BUT, I don't like the timing of the move. I think it's something that should have been handled in the off-season. With the nightmare of a season we've had, what's 3 more months?

[mscaniac]

I had a LOT of mixed emotions about this when it was first announced but after reading all the articles that came out after that and listening to the interviews with both Brindy and Staal I feel much more comfortable with it and I think it was handled with much more extreme care by the organization than I felt it was at first.
We all knew it was coming sometime.. if this is the right time who knows. I can see both sides of the coin.
I was VERY glad to hear JR say that Rod WOULD retire a Hurricane and his jersey would be retired to the rafters at the RBC.
Congrats to Eric and thank you to Rod for all you have done for our team!
I'm sure this is just the first of many big changes we should prepare ourselves for by the time next season rolls around... buckle up ladies!!

[Ells]

Yay. We get to pretend we're the lightning and write off the next three years. Oh what fun we will have.

*headdesk*

[turncoat]

I wonder why it wasn't done before this season started?? It sounds like it was a given but what caused the delay??

[mscaniac]

I think this is my favorite article concerning the subject and may or may not answer your question Turnie.. In my opinion I think it was mostly circumstances that caused this to happen today.. Brindy not being able to perform on the ice as he had hoped, our team struggling in last place in the league and according to this article.. Staal coming back to help the team so quickly after his sister in laws death all seemed to play a little bit into the picture.
hurricanes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=514357

[Melindaaaaaa [26]]

I just think this was the worst possible timing when it came to WHEN to give him the C, since we all knew he was gonna get it. JR said in one of the many articles put out about this matter that he wanted Eric to get experience as a Captain in a losing season.

... to me that just doesn't make sense. You set him in a leadership position when it's too late to change our course? That sounds like JR is setting Eric up to fail. Granted, I'm not saying we needed to give it to him when we are riding high either so he doesn't know what it's like to fail, but NOW of all times? No no no no. Not the best way to break in a new Captain at all.

[mscaniac]

I don't see it as setting Eric up to fail. Do fans or GM's really blame a player wearing the "C" when a team doesn't make it to the playoffs? I don't remember anyone ever pointing a finger at Brindy in years our team didn't do so well. Everyone knows this season is pretty much a wash and IMO it will do Eric good to learn to "lead" when times are tough rather than having it all just fall in his lap on a silver spoon during a great year if that makes any sense. Just my opinion of course. I also think Brindy still being on the team to help "mentor" him through the process will make a huge difference, I have no doubt Eric can learn a lot from him.

[dewaltgirl]

I don't like the timing and I'm not going to change my mind. Even if Rod Brind'Amour himself walked up to me and said I should like it, I'm not going to. I also have an issue with all the "let's give Eric the C so he can learn from Rod for the rest of the season." IMO, the letter does NOT need to be on the jersey or on the roster sheet to make someone a leader. Eric can still learn to be a Captain without the actual title. I just would have preferred Rod keep the C the remainder of the year and then make an announcement. If Roddy really is going to retire this summer, I would have liked it to be with the C on his chest dammit.

I get that everything is going to start changing soon. Frankly, I'm surprised more changes haven't already happened. This is just one change I don't think NEEDED to happen right now.

*edited because earn and learn are two very different words.

[Melindaaaaaa [26]]

^^ THAT.

[mscaniac]

Well Mel you DID ask for thoughts and opinions..sorry mine didn't agree with yours and DG's. I'll just gracefully bow out of this conversation.

[Melindaaaaaa [26]]

Just because we have different opinions doesn't mean you have to bow out. I'm sorry if you feel that way.

[dewaltgirl]

I don't even think that our opinions differ all that much. I agree that Eric can learn a lot from Rod through this difficult season. I just think it should have already been happening and not have needed a "Okay, your the Captain now. Lead". I just can't step away from the opinion that I would rather see Rod Brind'Amour retire with the C on his chest. There would have been a nice press conference where Rod announces his retirement and they name Eric the new Captain and such. No need to do it mid-season where it amplifies how badly Rod has been playing the last two years.

[mscaniac]

Jan 21, 2010 19:50:11 GMT -5 Melindaaaaaa [26] said:

Just because we have different opinions doesn't mean you have to bow out. I'm sorry if you feel that way.

Maybe I misunderstood.. Your huge "THAT" made me feel like my opinions or thoughts were being completely discounted and I was an idiot for feeling like I do about the situation.
However.. I'm over it.

[Melindaaaaaa [26]]

No, I meant that to be that her post is pretty much what I had been trying to say but just couldn't seem to get out of my head in a way that made sense.