In Red Wings Land

Who will be the next Detroit Red Wings captain after Zetterberg announcement? | WXYZ.com

Speaking to reporters during training camp in Traverse City on Friday morning, Red Wings General Manager said he’s spoken to Head Coach Jeff Blashill, and theyr’e waiting until the end of training camp to make a decision.

”I’m not sure if we’ll have a captain (or) if we’ll just go with all assistants,” Holland said. “We’ll make that decision over the next three weeks.”

I’m not really concerned at the moment about who the next captain of the Red Wings will be, but rather when the next captain will be selected.

I personally wouldn’t have a problem with the Wings naming a new captain this season. I don’t think Zetterberg would be disrespected by that. The only reason it’s not an official retirement is because of the cap recapture penalty that would only worsen the Detroit’s already terrible salary cap situation.

I think if the Wings waited the three entire seasons remaining on Zetterberg’s contract to name a new captain that it would be a mistake. If the franchise thinks Dylan Larkin is the guy then hand him the keys to the car and let him lead this group into the next era.

With all that said, I don’t think the team will put the ‘C’ on anyone in three weeks. The best bet is probably three alternate captains this year and then the team moves on with a new captain before the 2019-20 season (with Steve Yzerman at the the helm of the franchise).

Around the League

31 Thoughts: Examining Erik Karlsson trade fallout | Sportsnet

27. Other good lines from the NHL Media Tours: Asked if he hoped to get one final big hit out of his career, Detroit’s Niklas Kronwall replied, “No, I’m too slow to catch anyone.”

It’s always good to have 31 Thoughts back.