The Anaheim Ducks currently have two open alternate captain positions up for grabs. Jakob Silfverberg is surprisingly a fan favorite for the “A”, and he could be the perfect fit.
As the regular season quickly approaches, the Anaheim Ducks have yet to name their new leaders. Ryan Getzlaf, as great as he is at his job, cannot lead this team alone. With both Corey Perry and Ryan Kesler unavailable to resume their duties as the two alternate captains, changes need to be implemented in order to offer stability during the 2019-20 season and beyond.
There are currently four candidates for the job. It has been speculated that Cam Fowler basically already has it in the bag, but next to him, we could see any combination of either Hampus Lindholm, Adam Henrique, Josh Manson, or Jakob Silfverberg. Any combination of the four players would do well next to Getzlaf. However, Silfverberg is a little bit of an off the wall pick, but he could be the perfect fit.
Jakob Silfverberg Isn’t Afraid to Step Up
Last season, the Ducks were in desperate need for someone to step up and lead. The leadership core wasn’t showing up as they should have, and it caused a lot of damage. When the players who are supposed to be your leaders are walking around defeated before they even hit the ice, the rest of the team will follow suit. Nevertheless, there was one player who was relentless and kept pushing himself despite the circumstances.
Silfverberg had his moments in the season where he was a little streaky, but he was still consistent. When he wasn’t dealing with injuries, he showed up, and that’s really all General Manager Bob Murray was asking from his players.
While Silf never had the opportunity to prove himself at a lower level, his inexperience doesn’t make him unqualified. He is a quiet spirit, coupled with his strong moral fiber and his humble intelligence makes him a prime candidate to be a leader going into the Anaheim Ducks “retool.”
Despite this inconsistency he has dealt with the past few seasons, he has an incredible work ethic. He does what he can to be an anchor for his linemates while still taking responsibility for himself and his actions. Silfverberg is also both smart and mature, not just on the ice, but off the ice as well.
Responsibility is a Great Quality in Any Leader
He has taken responsibility for the kids, especially last season, and they really thrived while playing alongside him, especially Maxime Comtois early in the season. Over the course of the year, he has proven that he can be versatile, taking whatever role he is given in stride without wavering.
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Bob Murray gained some criticism for giving Silfverberg a five-year contract extension, especially when the Anaheim Ducks could have traded him for a few great assets. Nevertheless, after his performance last season, there is no denying that he deserves every bit of that shiny new five-year contract.
With the exit of Corey Perry and the injury Ryan Kesler hasn’t been able to bounce back from, the Ducks need veteran leaders such as Silfverberg to help the young guns make a smooth transition. Besides, no one knows how much longer Getzlaf plans on staying in the league or if he will re-sign with the Ducks after his contract is over.
You can’t just dispose of players like Silfverberg or Henrique willy nilly. It’s smart to keep them on board so they can help lead the next generation and usher in the positive change that is desperately needed on this team.
Who are your two favorite candidates to take over as the alternate captains next season? Do you think they should rotate through a combination of the four players or choose two? Let us know by leaving a comment down below!