FINAL ANSWER: Who gets the 'A'

SpezDispenser wrote:

shabbs wrote:
Friday? I thought he was announcing by Thursday.

Bah.

KOVALEV!!!!

Just kidding.

Oh man, is it tomorrow? That's even better. I heard 'sometime before the Saturday game' and figured it would be Friday.

Yeah, he said after practice the other day... either today or Thursday.

http://www.gmhockey.com/ottawa-centaurs-f31/clouston-to-name-alternate-captains-by-thursday-t3487.htm

We'll see...

I do hope it's Spezza. I think it'll do more for him than getting it would for Fisher - unless Fisher's game takes a hit from losing confidence by not getting the A.

Everything thus far suggests to me that Fisher will get it.

I'm with you ASQ. Actually, it's always been my answer. Going forward, this is Spezza's team. We have to work him into (up to) the C and what better way to do that than start with the "A"

Clouston said on Team 1200 today that Kovalev is great with the young players, that he talks with them on the bench a lot. He could get the A.

I think that Kovalev played his best Hockey in Montreal when he wore the "C" so I'm kindda torn here; well not VERY torn; giving him the "C" is absolutely unthinkable but an "A". I'm torn.

marakh wrote:Clouston said on Team 1200 today that Kovalev is great with the young players, that he talks with them on the bench a lot. He could get the A.

Kovalev is probably one of those guys who Clouston mentions when he talks about people not needing letters to lead.

I don't see how it can be anyone other than Fisher. He has to have it

DirtyDave wrote:Donavan

Now that I've learned the lingo, I can honestly say that you're SF56'n' for Donovan.

http://www.ottawasun.com/sports/nhlpreview/features/2009/09/29/11197006.html

“I think probably with the contract, and the media talking about higher expectations and whatnot, I think that really put a little bit of pressure on him,” said Clouston. “All we expect him to do is just go out and play his game. If he plays his game, those goals and points are going to come. But he also has to realize that we measure his value in not just goals and assists, but in leadership, work ethic, killing penalties, playing physical ... those little things to are very, very valuable.” Cory Clouston

I think this is an indication that Fisher might get the A that many of us believe he deserves.

I don't believe in giving a player an "A" in the hopes that they'll become the leader that deserves it and would rather give it to the guy that earned it.

For me it's gotta be Fisher. Let Spezza wear it when one of the Alternates are injured. If he shows he deserves it then give him the "A" when Phillips retires.

On another note - If they give it to Kovalev then I agree with TSN's 10th overall prediction.

I think it should be Fisher, but he's the type of guy that doesn't need to wear it to be it.

I have a big feeling that it will end up going to Spezza, which is fine too and I think it will give him that extra push that we all want and need him to have to become that all around player that he should be. It would make him better.

The thought that Kovalev gets the 'A' hurts my brain

Speaking of Spezza, that clip from TSN (putting the Sens in 10th) has one of the brains saying something like (bear with me, it's from memory):

We know Spezza has the will, but will there be a way ...

Umm, the way has been there since Martin got fired. The will is what is in question.

I know this is most likely making something out of nothing but who says Phillips is a lock for the "A" this season as well? Clouston said he would be naming his Alternates not his replacement for Heatley. I know it's probably nothing but why wouldn't he have just come out and said Alfie is the Captain, Phillips is one of the Alternates but we still haven't determined who will get the other "A"? I mean look at SJ. They stripped Marleau of the C and made Blake an Alternate.

I could see him naming Kovalev, but I'm hoping for Spezza.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:I don't believe in giving a player an "A" in the hopes that they'll become the leader that deserves it and would rather give it to the guy that earned it.

For me it's gotta be Fisher. Let Spezza wear it when one of the Alternates are injured. If he shows he deserves it then give him the "A" when Phillips retires.

Alfredsson will most likely be gone long before Phillips is.

asq2 wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:I don't believe in giving a player an "A" in the hopes that they'll become the leader that deserves it and would rather give it to the guy that earned it.

For me it's gotta be Fisher. Let Spezza wear it when one of the Alternates are injured. If he shows he deserves it then give him the "A" when Phillips retires.

Alfredsson will most likely be gone long before Phillips is.

OK. Alternatively then give Spezza the "A", if he's shown he deserves it, after Phillips has been named Captain. Phillips retires and Spezza gets the "C".