Who be the next captain of the Blackhawks?
Blackhawks may need to start thinking about a new captain. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are most likely getting dealt soon, Alternate Captain and Captain. The Blackhawks also traded Alex DeBrincat, who was an Alternate Captain. If the Hawks trade DeBrincat, Kane, and Toews, that leaves all 3 roles up for grabs. Who could take their spots? Let's see.
Captain - Seth Jones
Seth Jones when traded from the Columbus Blue Jackets signed a 8 year 9.5 million dollar deal with the Blackhawks that lasts until 2030. He had 51 points last season, scoring 5 goals and having 46 assists, having his best season since 2017. Jones is 27 years old and is really the only person I see taking that roll, as everyone else is either young or hasn't been on the Blackhawks for long. Now Jones hasn't been on the Hawks for that long at all, but his contract and experience in the NHL may earn him Captain. I would have considered Max Domi, but he is on a 1 year 3 million dollar contract, and will most likely be dealt at the deadline this season.
Alternate Captain - Tyler Johnson
I did consider Tyler Johnson at Captain, but he got injured last year and that may set him back from getting the role. He's on a 5 million dollar deal that ends after this season, and nobody knows if the Hawks are going to resign him. He was traded from the Tampa Bay Lightning this season, and served a role in every Lightning playoff run. He only had 7 points last season. But again, he got injured. His experience in the league may get him the role, and if he turns back into the Tyler Johnson we all saw in Tampa, it will be a good thing for the Hawks.
Alternate Captain - Phillip Kurashev
Why not? He is a phenomenal young hockey player at the age of 21. He had 21 points last season, one point behind Jake McCabe who is 28 years old. And he didn't even start in the first half of the season. Pretty impressive for his age, and the 2 people I wanted the Hawks to resign were Dylan Strome and Phillip Kurashev. I personally think very highly of Kurashev, and think he's going to be a great hockey player. Patrick Kane was named Alternate Captain around this age, why not him?
