Detroit Red Wings Name Associate Captains for 2018/19

The Detroit Red Wings had a leadership void to fill with the unfortunate departure of long-time leader Henrik Zetterberg.  Today Wings management officially announced the plan for the 2018/19 season.

The Detroit Red Wings fans have been patiently waiting for the franchise to either nominate a new captain or associates with the sudden withdrawal the organization’s heartbeat, Henrik Zetterberg.

The franchise could have gone in a couple of different directions.  They could have named a “placeholder” for the captaincy throughout this season.  Niklas Kronwall would have been a fantastic choice to fill this role.

Kronner has been everything the Detroit Red Wings could have hoped for throughout his career.  A warrior, a leader and a great guy off the ice.  Detroit hasn’t appointed a captain for the short-term in recent memory.  Steve Yzerman, Nicklas Lidstrom, and Henrik Zetterberg all carried the torch for quite some time.

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Giving it to Kronwall for the season would be more of a goodwill gesture so to speak.  A form of respect and almost saying thanks for being a terrific player and leader all these years.  It wouldn’t have been the first time Kronwall took the “C” because of a Zetterberg departure.  During the 2014 Winter Olympics, Hank had to bow out as the captain of Team Sweden.  Niklas Kronwall then was appointed the captain.

The franchise has decided to roll with 4 associate captains for this up and coming season.  Dylan Larkin will wear an “A” during home games, while Frans Nielsen will have it on the road.  Justin Abdelkader and Niklas Kronwall will continue to wear the other letters for the duration of the season.

With Kronner out tomorrow both newly appointed associate, alternate, assistant (whatever you want to call them) captains will be on display for the Detroit Red Wings home opener vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Frans Nielsen is a solid choice for the Detroit Red Wings.  He doesn’t get rattled by the media; he can stand up and answer to the success or lack of for that matter throughout the season.  Nielsen has also worn the “A” before in his career during his time with the New York Islanders. He is entering his third season with the Detroit Red Wings and feels quite comfortable now speaking up in the locker room.  Nielsen will be a good leader on and off the ice for the young emerging Red Wings this season.

Dylan Larkin is an excellent choice for the Detroit Red Wings too.  Larkin, fresh off signing his new five-year contract will be around for the long-term.  Larkin by all accounts is a “rink rat,” meaning he always wants to be on the ice.  Larkin is often the first guy on the ice before practice and the last to leave.  What else would you want from your leader?

Larkin has mentioned what an honor it would be knowing the greats before him to wear the Red Wing “C” in Motown, but he may have to wait one more year before that happens.  It will be good for 71 to feel the pressure of being an associate captain and all that goes into leading a franchise before having the “C” slapped on his chest.  I consider this the correct decision for the Detroit Red Wings franchise and Dylan Larkin in particular.