Peter DeBoer ‘Confident’ San Jose Sharks Will Have Captain Next Season
Jan 30, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; New Jersey Devils head coach Peter DeBoer watches his team take on the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Devils defeated the Stars 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The number one question that surrounded the San Jose Sharks last season should be able to be answered by the time the Sharks open the season on Oct. 7 against the Los Angeles Kings. New head coach Peter DeBoer has remained steadfast in saying the Sharks will have a captain for the upcoming season.
DeBoer, who went on 95.7 The Game with John Lund and Brodie Brazil, said he was “confident” San Jose would have a captain after Joe Thornton was stripped of his captaincy last summer. Here’s part of what DeBoer had to say on the subject:
"“It’s not something we are going to drag around as a distraction this year. We’re going to move past that. I think the players are ready for that too; they just want to play some hockey and get this thing back on track.”"
Even though DeBoer wasn’t around the Sharks in 2014-15, it appears the constant questioning was an actual distraction for the players, even though they would never admit it publicly. DeBoer has come in and said he wants everyone to have a clean slate.
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Furthermore, DeBoer is confident the leadership group will remain strong, regardless of who receives the ‘”C” and the “A’s.” The odds-on favorite for the captaincy position is Joe Pavelski, who’s led the Sharks in scoring the past two seasons. It’s unlikely that Thornton would be named captain after having it stripped from him by the organization, but you can book it that he will be one of the alternates.
He might not be wearing the “C” by Thornton is still the face of this franchise. Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Logan Couture would be the other contenders for the other alternate, and I would bet Vlasic is the selection to have the defensive corps represented, even though Couture deserves to be one of the recognized leaders of this team.
Regardless of who is selected, San Jose will be able to move forward as an organization and focus on winning on the ice. No more distractions or excuses, just back to playing hockey for a franchise that is looking to pick itself back up.