At the start of August, as many as eight teams were needing to name a new captain. As of last weekend, that number is down to six. Earlier in week, the New York Islanders made official what many already knew and made John Tavares the face of the franchise by handing him the captain's role. He replaces Mark Streit, who was traded to and subsequently signed by the Philadelphia Flyers. Tavares' appointment is no surprise, as the 2009 first overall pick has improved every year on the score sheet and it culminated with a Hart Trophy nomination last year. His ability to make players around him better (ask Matt Moulson, P-A Parenteau, and Brad Boyes, among others) is just now getting noticed, and with a move to Brooklyn in 2015, the Islanders suddenly have a bright outlook.
Saturday, the Ottawa Senators named a successor to Daniel Alfredsson, who left for Detroit on the first day of free agency. Jason Spezza, the second overall pick in 2001, was named captain a day after the Sens came to an agreement with Jared Cowen for four years and he will have expectations closer to the 2011-12 season he produced, when he finished fourth in scoring that year. Chris Phillips and Chris Neil, the only Sens players that have been with the team longer than Spezza, are the Alternate Captains.
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