Florida Panthers: Replacements for Jussi Jokinen as assistant captain
Keith Yandle
In general teams in any sport look for older, more experienced players to be captains. Keith Yandle fits that description more than most players on Florida’s roster. The defenseman has played in the NHL for 12 seasons, spending most of his time with the Coyotes.
Yandle is certainly a contributing member of the Panthers. He had 41 points and played all 82 games last season. Also the team knows that Yandle is here to stay; he is about to start the second year of a seven-year contract. One thing that may work against him being chosen as an alternate captain is his newness to the Panthers. Last year was his first season with Florida. Keith is a long shot for becoming assistant captain.
Radim Vrbata
If they value experience in an alternate captain, the Panthers should consider Yandle’s old Phoenix teammate Radim Vrbata. The 36-year-old from the Czech Republic has played in over 1,000 games in his 16 year career. Vrbata was productive offensively last year with 20 goals and 35 assists.
The Panthers will need every point they can get from him as they lost their leading goal scorer Jonathan Marchessault in the expansion draft. However unlike Yandle, Vrbata’s contract only lasts one-year. Also this is Radim’s first season in Sunrise, so it seems unlikely that they would make him an alternate captain right off the bat.
Aleksander Barkov
Florida doesn’t have to give the letter to the most experienced player. After all, the other alternate captain, Aaron Ekblad, is only 21-years-old. They could choose the young face of their franchise, Aleksander Barkov, to replace Jokinen. The Panthers have Barkov locked up with a six-year, 35 million dollar contract. A first line center, Barkov is an integral part of the Florida Panthers. He scored 52 points (21 G, 31A) despite only playing in 61 games.
His youth might cause some fans to forget that his four years make him one of the longer tenured players on the team. One thing that doesn’t help Aleksander’s case for alternate captain is his history of injuries. He has never played more than 71 games in a season during his career thus far.
Jonathan Huberdeau
If the Panthers want to give one of their younger core players the responsibility of a letter, Jonathan Huberdeau might be the way to go. The talented former 3rd overall pick has been a big time point scorer in the past. Unfortunately Panthers fans only got to see him play 31 games due to an injury sustained in a preseason game.
His five years as a Panther make him the longest tenured player on the roster. Florida has already demonstrated trust in Huberdeau financially. The 24-year old left winger is on year two of a six- year, 35 million dollar contract.
Micheal Haley
While Dadonov and Vrbata took up most of the publicity, Micheal Haley was another notable offseason acquisition for the Panthers. Haley has a fair amount of NHL experience, having played 7 seasons between the Islanders, Rangers and Sharks. He probably won’t be a huge factor offensively considering he had 12 points (2G, 10A) in 68 games last year. Then again, Florida’s current captain, Derek Mackenzie, only had 16 points himself.
Haley’s main advantage as an alternate captain is his relationship with new head coach Bob Boughner. Micheal and Boughner have spent the last two seasons together as members of the San Jose Sharks. However Micheal’s new Panthers teammates aren’t as familiar with him, which might hurt his chances of being named an alternate captain.
Vincent Trocheck
There were stretches of last season when the Panthers didn’t have Barkov, Huberdeau, or both. However, despite all their injuries, there was never a time last season when the Panthers were without Vincent Trocheck. Trocheck wasn’t just healthy last season; he was good. He led the team with 54 points last season.
At age 24, Vincent is about to start the second year of his six-year contract, making him a similar story to Barkov and Huberdeau. If Florida wants an alternate captain that can stay on the ice and lead by example, Trocheck is a solid choice.