Despite August soon approaching, 10 NHL clubs currently find themselves without a captain. It’s ground unheard of, thought to be the most vacancies at one time in NHL history, as raised yesterday by The Athletic’s Julian McKenzie.
The Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, St. Louis Blues, San Jose Sharks, and Vancouver Canucks don’t have a whole lot in common as clubs, but one distinction they all share is that they lack someone wearing the “C” at this point of the offseason.
By the time the puck drops on 2026-27, it’s no guarantee that all 10 positions will be filled either, as last season multiple teams played without a captain. Still, whether it’s tomorrow, or months from now, how did each team end up in this position, and who stands out as next to take leadership? First we look at the Western Conference.
Anaheim Ducks
A team whose last captain was one who was not the most flashy, Radko Gudas donned the “C” for the Ducks over the past two seasons, until his trade as a pending free agent back to Florida, where the 36-year-old fetched a surprising six-year deal with the Panthers. Taking over for Ryan Getzlaf who held things down for 12 seasons, Gudas was involved in a controversial play which ended Auston Matthews’ season, although he admirably answered the bell and fought Max Domi despite clearly not being near 100%.
Gudas was not the only leader who moved on this summer, with Jacob Trouba and John Carlson doing the same. The era of Leo Carlsson, Jackson Lacombe, and Cutter Gauthier seems to be here, although just a few weeks ago it wasn’t such a guarantee. Assuming Anaheim passes on another shorter term captain and looks to the next wave, each of their young stars has the traits to do so, but Carlsson especially stands out.
The 21-year-old already wore the “A” this past season, and having been willing to make him the highest paid player in league history, clearly the Ducks treasure the Swedish center as a face of the franchise. It would be no surprise to see him eventually named as the tenth captain in Anaheim’s history.
Chicago Blackhawks
Similar to Anaheim, the Blackhawks passed their icon Jonathan Toews’ captain duties to veteran Nick Foligno, who already had experience in the role from his time in Columbus. Foligno was done right by the organization, being paid a rich $5 million in two seasons with Chicago to help provide leadership, before his trade deadline deal to Minnesota which only brought future considerations.
The Blackhawks’ growing pains have continued maybe a year or two longer than they’d hoped after landing generational center Connor Bedard, but this morning’s news has fans over the moon as Patrick Kane is coming home. A longtime alternate under Toews, the 37-year-old has never worn the “C”, and while it would surely be offered should he want it, Bedard makes perfect sense.
Already becoming the youngest alternate in team history at age 20, the sniper led his Regina Pats team and seems to be in line for the 37th captain in Chicago’s distinguished history.
Los Angeles Kings
When the Kings take to the ice next season, it’ll take some time to get used to #11 not being there. Anže Kopitar, who served as captain since 2016, hung up his skates after a spectacular Hall of Fame career.
Just as right as it was for the Slovenian sensation to take the reins from Dustin Brown, another clear candidate emerges with Drew Doughty. The 36-year-old, who has spent his entire 18 year career in Los Angeles, already has voiced his want to take over the “C” on his way to eventually retiring a King. Alternates Michael Anderson and Adrian Kempe are also deserving, being noticeably younger, but it would be a great ending to watch Doughty assume the role and finish his career on his original club.
Another team who bid their captain farewell at the trade deadline, Brayden Schenn was dealt to the Islanders after three years leading the Blues. It’s a real period of transition in St. Louis with Alexander Steen taking over general manager duties for Doug Armstrong.
Already asked in April about who could come next as captain, head coach Jim Montgomery didn’t offer much, as they’re not set on naming anybody for 2026-27. Not difficult to see why, standout candidate Robert Thomas has been subject of recent trade rumors. Even if the alternate captain 27-year-old star center sticks around, it’s not yet time to seriously consider giving him the “C”, and most likely that the Blues’ vacancy will continue into the fall.
Even if none of them actually wear the letter, Thomas, and veteran defenders Colton Parayko and Cam Fowler will provide team leadership. If Thomas stays put he’d be a prime candidate, but if things continue to be fluid Parayko stands out. The longest tenured Blue wouldn’t waive his trade protection this past spring, showing loyalty at age 33.
San Jose Sharks
The Sharks are going on year three without an official captain, as unfortunately, Logan Couture will no longer play due to injury. The 37-year-old center will technically remain on the long-term injured reserve for another season, and if for nothing else, no new captain has been named out of respect.
Whenever that time comes, it’s San Jose who seems to have the most obvious choice. 20-year-old Macklin Celebrini is already a face of the league who had 115 points this past season. The 2024 first overall pick already has an “A” on his teal sweater, and if that isn’t enough, he also served as captain of Team Canada at the IIHF World Championships.
It was a tremendous honor for the young superstar, with all-time great Sidney Crosby passing on the opportunity in favor of Celebrini. That says more than enough to suggest that he’s the next captain in San Jose.
Vancouver Canucks
Trading away each of their last two captains in Bo Horvat and Quinn Hughes, the latter’s December blockbuster left things vacant ever since, ending Hughes’ tenure after what would have become a third full season.
Looking to turn the page from a dead last finish, the Canucks are likely in no rush to make moves on their leadership, but a few quality candidates are quite deserving. New general manager Ryan Johnson carries a belief that it comes with time, and must be earned. Alternate Brock Boeser, under contract for six more years, would be a great fit.
Another veteran who is locked up through 2031-32 equally stands out in Filip Hronek. The defenseman reportedly has “no interest” in a trade away from his rebuilding team, a valuable leader for the Canucks who already looks to be a top candidate when Johnson feels it’s time.
Image Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images (Bedard, Celebrini)