Rangers @ Leafs - Jan. 4th, 7:00pm - CBC, SN 590

[Jalili]

How they respond in their next game will go a long way to determining whether Lupul's words actually meant anything.

He's gotta walk the walk, but I can appreciate that Lupul appears thoughtful and conscientious and isn't just saying generic crap like "uh, you know, gotta keep our feet moving next time, and uh, stuff like that I guess".

It's good that he's taking responsibility at least.

 

[L K]

Right now, as a fan, I'd be significantly more comfortable with Lupul wearing the C.

It's nothing more than a title, and responsibility to talk to the officials on questionable calls but yeah.  I like what is coming out of Lupul's mouth.  At the very least he is paying very good lip service to the fanbase.  Not sure how well it goes over in the dressing room obviously.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Pretty sound reasoning for the C there, I definitely don't think it's any result of a long-standing dislike of Phaneuf so no arguments here.

 

[moon111]

Right now, as a fan, I'd be significantly more comfortable with Lupul wearing the C.

It's nothing more than a title, and responsibility to talk to the officials on questionable calls but yeah.  I like what is coming out of Lupul's mouth.  At the very least he is paying very good lip service to the fanbase.  Not sure how well it goes over in the dressing room obviously.

Phaneuf is probably showing them what to do in situations like this... walk around like you're the best no matter what.

 

[Leaflifer]

Lupul may be a better choice for C, but still not optimal. He has battled immaturity issues in the past and is probably trying to help in that area as he likely sees the deficiency in that regard in the dressing room and on the ice.

Personally, I would like to see a tough as nails type with an icy glare. Someone, who in a game 7 desperate situation, doesn't look like a deer caught in the headlights. Instead, looks like someone ready to rip someone's face off.

Someone who gives a pre-game pep talk on his feet looking guys in the eye.

Someone who commands respect from a solid work ethic. Also, someone who can bring together the different cliques on the team, especially the young guys, and teach them what it means to be a Leaf. A Toews type.

That's the missing element IMO.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Someone who commands respect from a solid work ethic. Also, someone who can bring together the different cliques on the team, especially the young guys, and teach them what it means to be a Leaf. A Toews type.

How is that a "Toews type" and what makes you think it is?  I'm just going to guess that his team's on-ice success has a lot to do with how he's viewed as captain, whether or not he actually does any of the things that are attributed to him.  You've read that Toews brings cliques on teams together?

 

[OldTimeHockey]

What difference does it make if Lupul wears an 'A' or a 'C'..or for that matter, any letter on his shirt. He can be a leader with or without it. What a silly discussion.

 

[Joe S.]

Sometimes I wish the NHL would do away with the whole C/A concept, it feels so antiquated.

 

[Kin]

What difference does it make if Lupul wears an 'A' or a 'C'..or for that matter, any letter on his shirt. He can be a leader with or without it. What a silly discussion.

I don't think it would make a world of difference in terms of wins and losses but I wouldn't entirely dismiss the place the role has in terms of the tradition of the game and the way it thrusts someone, rightly or wrongly, into the spotlight. Likewise, and again I was making this statement strictly as a fan, I think it matters in a narrative sense when it comes to discussing the team. I think it represents an important role within this community that predates and will outlive any ownership group.

More than coaches or GMs or owners I tend to think of this team's eras as being defined by the Team's Captain. That's what that statement reflected. It wasn't intended as a quantitative statement on the value of the captaincy.

 

[Leaflifer]

Someone who commands respect from a solid work ethic. Also, someone who can bring together the different cliques on the team, especially the young guys, and teach them what it means to be a Leaf. A Toews type.

How is that a "Toews type" and what makes you think it is?  I'm just going to guess that his team's on-ice success has a lot to do with how he's viewed as captain, whether or not he actually does any of the things that are attributed to him.  You've read that Toews brings cliques on teams together?

As an example, during their loss to the Leafs, he was vocal on the bench, visibly irritated, and didn't quit hustling till the final buzzer.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

What difference does it make if Lupul wears an 'A' or a 'C'..or for that matter, any letter on his shirt. He can be a leader with or without it. What a silly discussion.

I don't think it would make a world of difference in terms of wins and losses but I wouldn't entirely dismiss the place the role has in terms of the tradition of the game and the way it thrusts someone, rightly or wrongly, into the spotlight. Likewise, and again I was making this statement strictly as a fan, I think it matters in a narrative sense when it comes to discussing the team. I think it represents an important role within this community that predates and will outlive any ownership group.

More than coaches or GMs or owners I tend to think of this team's eras as being defined by the Team's Captain. That's what that statement reflected. It wasn't intended as a quantitative statement on the value of the captaincy.

Oh I get what you're saying and I agree.

I just don't understand the thought process that some have in thinking the team will be better with Lupul as the Captain. I don't buy it.

 

[Kin]

Oh I get what you're saying and I agree.

I just don't understand the thought process that some have in thinking the team will be better with Lupul as the Captain. I don't buy it.

I think it comes from the same place as putting so much emphasis on Carlyle. People want to talk around the problem.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Oh I get what you're saying and I agree.

I just don't understand the thought process that some have in thinking the team will be better with Lupul as the Captain. I don't buy it.

People want to talk around the problem.

Bingo