With the stripping of the San Jose Sharks captaincies this summer, many had thoughts as to who would become the new captain. And with the emphasis the management was placing on younger players, the majority assumed Logan Couture was a sure fit.
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However, upon the season home opener, four alternate captains were chosen and Couture was not on the list.
"“I think it’s human nature to be disappointed. Any player would be in this situation,” Couture said. “But you can’t let it affect you, and I won’t. I’m going to come in and do the exact same thing I would if I had a letter or didn’t.”"
Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski and Marc-Edouard Vlasic were named the players to rotate in the alternate position. My vote has always been for Pavelski. Couture is somewhat emotional to take on such a role. Ok, that may be the wrong word to use, but I believe he has some growing to do in a leadership role. Not that he couldn’t evolve into a great captain, but for now I think the Sharks franchise has done good by the decision they made.
"“Logan has been fine. He’s dealt with me the way I thought he would,” coach Todd McLellan said. “When somebody doesn’t get one, it’s not like we’re closing the door on the individual and saying, ‘Don’t ever come back, you’re not qualified.’ That’s not the case. He’s dealt with it very well, he knows what we’re trying to accomplish, and he’s a very big part of it. He doesn’t need to have the felt on his shoulder to be a leader, and we include him in that group.”"
And even if I’m wrong and Couture should have been named an alternate, this is his chance to move in and prove that, hey, I really did deserve this opportunity and this is why you made a bad decision….