Anaheim Ducks: Hampus Lindholm Should be Considered as a Candidate for Alternate Captain
The Anaheim Ducks currently have two open positions for alternate captains. There are many reasons Hampus Lindholm should be considered as a prime candidate.
Only 75 days stand between the Anaheim Ducks and opening day against the Arizona Coyotes! The organization, however, needs to make a very important decision regarding next season’s leadership. Both of Ryan Getzlaf‘s alternate captains are unable to resume their duties; Ryan Kesler will spend the season on LTIR and Corey Perry‘s contract was bought out, and the Ducks cannot go into the new season without a strong group of leaders leading the way.
Cam Fowler is the most obvious candidate; he has been groomed over the past few season’s, wearing the “A” in the absence of either Corey Perry or Ryan Kesler. However, one more “A” still remains. While Josh Manson and Adam Henrique are both great candidates, who we will take a look at later, an argument can be made for the Ducks to take a chance on Hampus Lindholm.
The Anaheim Ducks former 6th overall draft pick has spent the past 6 seasons making a name for himself as one of the teams best defenseman. While he did have a little bit of a down season in 2018-19, he has remained one of the most consistent players in the lineup during his tenure with the Ducks.
Over the past year, and especially this summer, he has already taken significant strides to prove that he is ready for a role like this, should it be offered to him. Lindholm has taken several of the young players under his wing, most notably, Troy Terry, and is instilling important lessons into them that will benefit them during their career in the NHL.
He’s only 25, but after six seasons in the league, he can be considered a vet. However, he doesn’t have any previous leadership experience. Regardless, the Anaheim Ducks could benefit from having a younger, more relatable, player in their leadership core, especially considering the team will be welcoming several of their younger players into the lineup full time this coming season.
Confidence
There are several great qualities of a good leader, but confidence is key. When taking the post as a captain or alternate captain, a player must have confidence not only in himself but in his team as well. It is essential to success going forward; when a leader exudes confidence, so do those who follow his example.
Hampus Lindholm has shown signs of significant growth over the years, which goes hand in hand with confidence. Since earning a fulltime spot on the Anaheim Ducks roster in 2013-14 he has had a fervency in his spirit, but throughout the past six seasons, Lindholm has become more confident in himself as an NHL player, a teammate, and a leader.
On the ice, Lindholm is known as a player who carries himself and the puck with confidence. He has incredible vision on the ice, and aside from the teamwide discombobulation this past season, he helps drive the energy of the game and always stays on pace. He isn’t afraid to take a few wise risks to benefit himself as a player and his team as a whole as well.
During his exit interview at the end of the 2018-19 season, he seemed confident in his team. He knew the missteps they had taken over the season and had a keen sense of what needed to be done to solve their issues. He wasn’t afraid to point out his deficits along with those of the rest of his team. Yet, he did it with class and sophistication, having the willingness to point out their flaws, but having faith that they have all the pieces to succeed and are doing their due diligence to take those steps moving forward.
Loyalty, Integrity, and Transparency Go Hand in Hand
Hampus Lindholm is currently signed with the Anaheim Ducks up until 2022-23. He will become a UFA at the age of 28, but he has still committed to giving them the best years of his career. At the rate he is developing, his contract is also beginning to look better and better with each passing day.
Lindholm also practices two of the most important qualities of an NHL player, integrity and humility, both on and off the ice. He is willing to admit his flaws and wrongdoings so he can be honest with his fans. He knows he makes mistakes, as all players do, but he’s willing to find the solution so that his team, his fans, and he can have a better experience during games.
He’s also willing to listen to his body so that he can be the most effective player he can be. While every player should have a certain level of competitiveness, there are too many players who push themselves to the point of self-destruction. Ryan Kesler and Corey Perry are both perfect examples that hit close to home.
With most of his injuries, HL47 has been upfront and honest about what is going on and he hasn’t been afraid to take the necessary time to let his body heal. That is something that the younger kids will take to heart. They want to make it in the NHL so bad, that they’d likely be willing to do anything to get there. So, having a player who isn’t afraid to say, “look, it’s okay to put your needs first” will benefit them in the long run.
He is dedicated to taking the Anaheim Ducks all the way which makes his transparency all the more admirable. After the past few seasons, not only does the team need a leader like this, but the fans also need it as well.
Optimism Promotes Creativity and Innovation
One quality that I have always admired about Hampus Lindholm is his optimism. He always has a smile on his face, even when things aren’t going the way he or his team had hoped. Positivity is infectious, just as negativity is, and it creates a healthy environment that promotes growth.
With growth comes the ability to be more creative and innovative while still being smart and putting your team first. While Lindholm may not take as many risks as his offensively minded teammates on the blueline, he seems to have found the perfect balance between being both offensively and defensively minded.
This has encouraged him to craft his game so that he can be both logical and inventive without putting too much at stake. This allows him to be consistent, reliable, and maintain a fresh perspective on the ice while still being able to surprise the opposition and still catch them off guard.
Isn’t that exactly what we want for the younger generation that’s up and coming in the Anaheim Ducks organization? They need an environment that is conducive to healthy growth. They need other players around them that are willing to be humble, admit their wrongdoings, and encourage those around them. The “Ducklings” need players they can model themselves after, not just on the ice, but off the ice as well. As they get more comfortable in their new role, they need to learn how to be both creative and innovative. So, why not learn from a player who fits that role to a T?
Passion and Commitment Gives Him the Extra Edge
I am a firm believer that good players are not necessarily a result of their skills, but a result of their heart. They are dedicated, committed to the cause, and they put their blood, sweat, and tears into improving. Hampus Lindholm, since day one, has been the epitome of what a player fueled by their passion looks like.
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He refuses to give up, even in the face of adversity. When things get tough, he presses forward with fire in his eyes. During each game, he plays to the best of his ability, and when he doesn’t, he gets back up and does whatever he can do to push and improve himself.
Over the past few seasons, the Anaheim Ducks have lacked passion in their lineup. There have been a select few players who come out onto the ice and give it everything they’ve got night in and night out. That will certainly change with the new coaching staff, but to break old habits, the team needs leaders who can reignite the team’s passion for the game.
Willingness to Accept Change & Ability to Adapt
From Lindholm’s first day with the Anaheim Ducks, things have been a lot different for him than they were while playing in Sweden. He’s had to deal with a slower system that lacks organization and consistency. Under the guidance of coaches like Bruce Boudreau and Randy Carlyle, he’s had to adapt his game to fit their mold better.
He was willing and able, even though it didn’t always make sense; another good sign of a leader. However, having two coaches who both promoted and taught an old style of hockey that was not conducive to success has hindered Lindholm from reaching his true potential. With the addition of Dallas Eakins to the coaching staff this season, this allows positive change for the entire team, especially Lindholm, and it will hopefully help him break out of his shell more.
Of course, the new season won’t come without its growing pains. The entire team is going to have to relearn new habits. The vets are going to have to adjust to a new system and playing alongside a core of younger bodies. The “Ducklings” are also going to need to continue to grow, learn, and figure out where they fit in at the NHL level.
Lindholm is the perfect player to bridge the gap and promote this positive change. He has spent the last several seasons playing alongside the likes of Ryan Getzlaf, Adam Henrique, Cam Fowler, and the rest. However, he’s still young enough that he can be considered relatable and approachable by the youth.
He has been the perfect example over the past few years of how to take challenges in stride and be resilient under the pressure. He’s had to adapt to a new way of thinking without losing himself and delaying his growth. His career in the NHL hasn’t always been easy, but he perseveres and presses forward for the benefit of his entire team.
Next. Jakob Silfverberg Has Good Season Amidst Teams Failures. dark
Do you think the Anaheim Ducks should give Hampus Lindholm a chance to be a leader next season? Who are your candidates for the two alternate captain positions? Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment down below!