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Montreal, QC • Canada • 35 Years Old • Male

Captain Cammalleri?

Posted 10:11 AM ET | Comments 17
Hey all, I know I said my next blog was going to be about Sergei Kostitsyn, but I saw a video yesterday that bumped Sergei down a rung. Sorry Sergei, looks like you'll have to wait one more week!

Ok, so down to business...well, believe it or not, training camp is now less than two months away and it is looking, and sounding more and more like the Montreal Canadiens will skate with three assistant captains this year rather than naming a captain outright. Personally, I think that this is a great idea. The Montreal Canadiens are a prestigious organization and as such, being the captain of this organization is not something to be taken lightly. By that I mean that I, as a fan, would rather see them wait to see who emerges as a leader, rather than having a captain just for the sake of having a captain. The 2010 Habs are a drastically made-over team who's on-ice identity remains to be seen, and who have a clear leadership void. That being said, I believe that there are some great players on this team that are ready to step into that void.

Until recently, I thought that Markov was the frontrunner to become the team captain. But the more I think about it, the more I think he might not be the best choice. The problem with Markov is that he is not very comfortable in front of the cameras and media hordes. There is no question that Markov let's his playing do his talking, but being the captain of the Habs means that there are a lot of off-ice responsibilities too. With Markov's tendancy to shy away from attention, and his tenuous grasp on the English language (not to mention his non-existant grip on French), he seems like he might be better suited to the assistant captain position instead.

One name that I never thought of for the captaincy position, but who I now believe has a great chance of becoming that team leader, is Mike Cammalleri. My opinion on Mike developed the other day, when I saw an interview with him that is posted on the Hockey News web site. Here, take a look for youself:

http://www.thehockeynews....iper-Mike-Cammalleri.html

After watching this interview and listening to Mike speak, I realized that he is first of all a smart, well-spoken individual, but more importantly he doesn't give the same, tired responses that most hockey players do. He actually has something to say. Instead of the standard "...I'm going to give it my 110%..." cliches that we are so used to hearing, Mike actually talks about what he feels, how he sees thing, who he'd like to play with, without over promising and without overextending himself. I find him to be a breathe of fresh air.

The second thing that I think Cammalleri has going for him, is that he spent the last season playing with Jarome Iginla, captain of the Calgary flames. You'll notice, in his interview, that Cammalleri mentions that he learned a lot from playing with Iginla. I think that in addition to learning a lot about the hockey side of things, from Iginla, that Cammalleri perhaps learned what it takes to be a true leader - which Iginla definitely is.

I could be wrong, but I get a sense, from his interview, that Cammalleri knows there is an opportunity for him to become a leader, and maybe even captain, on this team. Watching the interview, you hear him sounding like a leader, sounding like a guy would could become the voice of a dressing room. That plus his 5 year deal, make me think that this is a man who is committed to making things happen in Montreal, and maybe also committed to making a push to fill those big shoes that Saku left behind.

Thoughts?

K.
July 27, 2009 12:13 PM ET | Delete
God help you if Cammalerri's your captain.
July 27, 2009 12:15 PM ET | Delete
great blog...i just don't think a new guy should take the reins...i say give it to one of our french guys... say laraque or lapierre...or Price..LMAO but.. laraque is french, a charecter guy in the room and knows how to handle the media
July 27, 2009 12:16 PM ET | Delete
your just jealous cause he came here... he likes the play offs
July 27, 2009 12:17 PM ET | Delete
oh and the problem with laraque is...he may not even get in the starting line up.....:S
July 27, 2009 12:39 PM ET | Delete
If the Habs go into the 09-10 season without someone wearing a C, were in big trouble. C: GomezA: MarkovA: Hamrlik/Gorges/Pleks
July 27, 2009 1:30 PM ET | Delete
hahaha agreed with mcdivitt. Markov will captain this team , next question.
July 27, 2009 1:30 PM ET | Delete
Message Posted
July 27, 2009 3:01 PM ET | Delete
Loved Cammi while he was in CGY and he was a great interview because he said what he was feeling but other than that and some points (which didnt come during the end of season and playoffs) he wasnt a really great leader....I wouldnt pu the weight of wearing the C in montreal on him or he will vanish
July 27, 2009 4:03 PM ET | Delete
I know this is a crappy reason, but he does not speak a lick of french, I doubt he would be named captain.
July 27, 2009 8:45 PM ET | Delete
I am a big Cammi fan I have followed him for a while. He is a good supporting leader. I don't know about making him captain.
July 27, 2009 10:43 PM ET | Delete
Agreed with AMC...Cammy is a great player, but I don't know about being captain material. Especially being a new guy in the dressing room. Just my 2 cents...
July 28, 2009 11:11 AM ET | Delete
I would choose 3 A, Lapierre, Markov and Cammaleri/Gomez
July 28, 2009 12:38 PM ET | Delete
Smurftastic!
July 28, 2009 2:25 PM ET | Delete
great blog, I'd give him an A for sure, along with A's to Lapierre and markov. Then , maybe at half season they can decide wether or not one individual on this team is ready to be named captain.
July 28, 2009 7:27 PM ET | Delete
July 29, 2009 8:26 PM ET | Delete
God help us? Who's your captain? Jason Blake?
July 29, 2009 8:26 PM ET | Delete
Our best bet is to hand out 3 A's. Markov, Gomez, Gorges
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