|
|
Blake named Sharks
captain
Boyle and Thornton to wear A's
Rob Blake was named as the Sharks 7th captain in
franchise history on Thursday, officially ending Patrick Marleau's tenure with
the "C". Blake will begin his 20th NHL season on Thursday night in Denver,
where he won a Stanley Cup in 2001. Dan Boyle and Joe Thornton were also named
as assistant captains.
The decision to name Blake as captain is both
logical and peculiar, given his lengthy career. He is respected league wide for
his tenure and tenacity alike, but given the wear and tear on his 39 year-old
frame, the question of how long he elects to continue his career will create
another captains vacancy for the Sharks to fill.
Blake turned in one
of the finer seasons of his career last year, so his age doesn't appear to be
an immediate factor, but as a professional athlete veers into the daunting
40's, Father Time becomes more relevant. There's no doubt that Blake's
reputation league wide will pay dividends for the Sharks as he serves in the
role, but what happens when he retires?
There's no doubt that the
Sharks needed a change. If anything Marleau's passive demeanor gave everyone
outside the locker room the impression that he was probably the same mild
mannered nice guy behind closed doors. After the playoff disappointments the
Sharks have turned in the past few years, the Sharks need a stern voice.
It remains to be seen if Blake will be that motivator.
He was quick to point out that leadership has to come from everyone
that wears a Sharks crest professionally. Perhaps coming from him, the
youngsters will take more notice.
In any case, Marleau is letter-less,
but that may just be the motivation that conjures up the possessed hockey
player that can lead a team to the promise land. Without the distractions that
a captaincy brings, perhaps Marleau can focus on putting the puck in the net on
a more regular basis. Doing that in the spring would really make it worth it.
 |
|
| What did you think of
this article? Post your comments on the Feeder Forums |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
