As of Sept. 22, the Sabres still remain one of the only three teams in the National Hockey League without a captain. (ANA, SEA) For months, fans have been trying to predict the next captain of the Sabres, and in this article, we’ll be giving you our top 3 picks.
3. Tage Thompson
Tage Thompson may be one of the most interesting players of all time. After being picked in the late first round of the NHL draft, Thompson was quickly called a bust after his injury-filled slow development, but after a breakout season in 2021-22, where he scored 38 goals, and totaled 68 points, Thompson has rapidly emerged as the Sabres’ clear number-one center, and a great leader as well.
Thompson was one of the many players dissatisfied with the 23-24 campaign, but showed his maturity and leadership upon his locker cleanout interview, saying: “You can point to a lot of other things, but at the end of the day it turns to the guys in the room and myself looking in the mirror, and this year wasn’t good enough,” and, “I have to be way better, and I think there’s a lot of other guys in this room that have to be way better.”
Many of Tage’s teammates have said how much of a leader he is, and how fun of a person he truly is in the locker room. Combining this with the ‘A’ he sported for moments of last season and this year’s pre-season, Thompson is a clear choice for captain
Dahlin is a lot of fan’s favorite pick to receive the captaincy, and it’s easy to tell why. Dahlin is an incredible leader, both on-ice with his amazing, often jaw-dropping plays, and off the ice as well, where he helps his teammates to grow and has quickly assumed a leadership role on the team, especially with the defense where he shares his wisdom with Bowen Byram and Owen Power. Perhaps most notably, Dahlin organized an off-season camp in Switzerland which was attended by the likes of JJ Peterka and Mattias Samuelsson, as well as many other Sabres.
Since being picked 1st Overall in the 2018 NHL Draft, Dahlin has quickly stepped up as a leader on this young and often struggling Sabres team. His contract remains for the next eight years, so if Kevyn Adams does select him it will not just be a transitionary move, but Rasmus would lead the team for years to come.
My pick for the next captain of the Buffalo Sabres is none other than Alex Tuch. The Syracuse native has stated how much he loves playing for the team, and how much it means to put on the logo every night, qualities you definitely want from your captain.
Since being traded for Jack Eichel in 2021, Tuch has quickly become a leader on this team, not just with his skilled on-ice play – leading the team in points last year – but especially in the locker room, bringing positive and cheerful energy to the boys in blue, but also providing seriousness and stressing accountability when needed.
“I think I bring some experience to the table that will help our team win.” Tuch said during his locker cleanout, “That’s it. Whatever I can contribute as a player, as an individual, I’ll contribute”.
Also during the same interview, Tuch was asked about the possibility of wearing the ‘C’ this year, to which he responded with: “I don’t care if I’m wearing a letter, honestly. I think my teammates see me as a leader, and that’s all I care about. Honestly, it’s being able to be the best that I am and contributing as much as possible.” That’s definitely the mentality you want from someone leading your group, as I’m sure Kevyn Adams does not want to repeat the Jack Eichel saga all over again.
Overall, the Sabres have numerous choices for their next captain, and fan’s theories won’t have to last very long, as Adams stated the team will announce their leadership group before the start of the 24-25 campaign, and among them, the next captain of the Buffalo Sabres.
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