Projected NHL captains: who should wear the ‘C’ for 10 teams without one
Projected NHL captains for 10 teams entering the season without a permanent C — veterans and rising stars poised to become franchise leaders and reshape locker-room identity.
The NHL captains landscape has 10 notable vacancies as teams head into the new season, and franchises must choose between established veterans and emerging superstars to fill the role. Each club faces a different calculus: appoint a steady hand to steady a rebuild, or crown a rising star as the new face of the franchise. This roundup proposes likely choices and explains why those players are positioned to take on responsibility in the locker room and before the media.
Anaheim Ducks poised to name Carlsson captain
The Ducks signaled commitment to Carlsson by matching a major offer this summer, underlining his central role in the club’s turnaround. He led Anaheim in production last season and emerged as the team’s primary centre, making him a natural candidate to embody the next chapter. With Radko Gudas no longer in the room, handing the ‘C’ to Carlsson would formalize a leadership transition toward the younger core.
Boston Bruins have Pastrnak as the frontrunner
Boston’s leadership lineage has run through several generational captains, and the Bruins now have a clear internal candidate in David Pastrnak. As one of the NHL’s most consistent goal scorers and a long-tenured veteran, Pastrnak brings elite production and continuity under contract for multiple seasons. Naming him would restore a traditional captaincy model while rewarding a player who has matured under the club’s recent leadership standards.
Chicago Blackhawks likely to entrust Bedard with the ‘C’
Connor Bedard’s breakout and his new long-term contract make him the logical choice to become the Blackhawks’ captain. The No. 1 pick’s season-over-season growth and his late-season deployment as an alternate during a veteran exodus signaled the club’s confidence. Elevating Bedard would accelerate the rebuilding narrative and give the franchise a clear public face to lead the young core back toward contention.
Columbus Blue Jackets should turn to Werenski
Zach Werenski’s recommitment to Columbus after a summer of uncertainty positions him as the stabilizing option for the Blue Jackets. He has compiled franchise-leading counting stats among defencemen and won top defensive honors, establishing credibility across the locker room. Naming Werenski captain would reward his stated commitment to winning in Columbus and provide the team with a proven on-ice leader.
Los Angeles Kings face a Doughty-led succession
With Anze Kopitar retired, Drew Doughty remains the most prominent veteran link to the Kings’ recent Cup era and is the clear internal choice for captaincy. Doughty led the team in ice time last season and remains an on-ice anchor despite entering the final season of his current deal. Assigning him the ‘C’ would preserve institutional continuity as the organization evaluates roster construction and long-term planning.
Islanders and Senators balance experience and youthful promise
New York Islanders decision-makers must weigh a generational rookie in Matthew Schaefer against the steadiness of Bo Horvat. Schaefer’s early accolades and developmental trajectory make him a long-term option, but his age argues for Horvat’s short-term stewardship. In Ottawa, the departure of Brady Tkachuk leaves a vacuum best filled by Jake Sanderson, whose defensive leadership and contract stability give the Senators a foundation during the next phase of the rebuild.
San Jose, St. Louis and Vancouver weigh veteran anchors amid rebuilds
Macklin Celebrini’s historic sophomore season and subsequent contract extension make him the likely captain-in-waiting for the Sharks as they push toward relevancy. Celebrini’s international captaincy experience and historic point production at a young age provide rare credentials for immediate leadership. In St. Louis, Colton Parayko represents a veteran option to guide an incoming wave of young talent after recent trades; his willingness to stay in St. Louis signals commitment. Vancouver’s situation is different: the Canucks appear likely to delay naming a permanent captain while monitoring growth among younger players, though Brock Boeser would be the experienced choice if the team opts for a leader now.
How clubs decide: continuity, culture and optics
General managers balance several factors when naming a captain: contract length, public profile, locker-room respect and the message the appointment sends to fans. A player under contract for multiple seasons offers continuity, while a veteran who has already captained at other stops brings tested procedural experience. Conversely, selecting an emerging star can accelerate branding and demonstrate trust in a young core, but it carries the risk of added pressure on developing players.
Potential alternatives and internal options
Across the 10 teams there are reasonable alternate candidates who could assume leadership if organizations prefer a different tone. Several teams have veteran-alternate leadership groups prepared to support a transition, and some clubs may take a cautious approach by delaying a decision until in-season dynamics become clearer. That flexibility allows front offices to respond to injuries, roster moves and the evolving chemistry of their lines and defensive pairings.
Appointing a captain is as much about signaling a franchise’s direction as it is about selecting an on-ice leader. For some clubs, the choice will formalize a rebuild’s next phase; for others it will cement continuity and recognize long-term commitment. As training camps open and rosters settle, these proposed selections will be tested by performance, chemistry and the everyday demands of leadership in the NHL.
