Wearing the captain’s letter in the NHL is a privilege reserved for the most respected and dependable players. The duties extend well beyond the dressing room, as the captain serves as the primary voice for the franchise in media settings and community engagements.
Ten teams across the league are currently searching for their next leader. Some franchises might hand the role to emerging talents ready to embrace the spotlight, while others could lean on seasoned veterans who can guide younger rosters through transition. Below is an assessment of the strongest candidate for each club.
NHL captaincy: Anaheim Ducks and Boston Bruins
The Anaheim Ducks may look to Leo Carlsson to fill the void. The forward emerged as a central figure for the team last season, tallying 29 goals and 67 points in 70 appearances. His contributions helped Anaheim snap a lengthy playoff absence, and his value became clear when the club matched a substantial offer sheet from Philadelphia to retain his services.
With former leader Radko Gudas now playing for Florida, Carlsson embodies the next wave of Ducks leadership. Jackson LaCombe, Cutter Gauthier, and Alex Killorn remain alternative choices.
The Boston Bruins have a storied history of elite captains, including Joe Thornton, Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, and Brad Marchand. Marchand’s departure to Florida in 2025 left the team without a permanent captain for the previous campaign.
David Pastrnak stands out as the natural heir. The winger has amassed 420 goals since his debut in 2014-15, a mark surpassed only by Alex Ovechkin, Leon Draisaitl, and Auston Matthews in that timeframe. With five seasons left on his deal, Pastrnak offers stability for Boston. Charlie McAvoy, Nikita Zadorov, and Elias Lindholm are also viable options.
Connor Bedard and Zach Werenski headline Chicago Blackhawks and Columbus Blue Jackets
Connor Bedard took another major leap in his development last season. The top pick from 2023 posted personal bests with 30 goals, 45 assists, and 75 points, despite missing time due to injury.
Bedard also wore an alternate captain badge late in the year after Chicago traded away several veterans at the deadline. The Blackhawks reinforced their faith in him by signing him to a five-year, $75-million extension. With Patrick Kane returning and a promising core forming, Bedard is poised to take on the captaincy. Bowen Byram and Ryan Donato are other possibilities.
For the Columbus Blue Jackets, Zach Werenski is the obvious frontrunner. His future was in question during the offseason, and he declined a trade to Dallas using his no-movement clause. The situation resolved with Werenski expressing his desire to achieve success in Columbus.
The defenceman has been a cornerstone since joining in 2016. Last season, he became the first Blue Jacket to capture the Norris Trophy and ranks among the top three in franchise history for games played, assists, and points. Charlie Coyle, Ivan Provorov, and Adam Fantilli are other names in consideration.
Los Angeles Kings and New York Islanders seek new captains
The Los Angeles Kings lost longtime captain Anze Kopitar to retirement following last season. Drew Doughty is now the sole remaining member of the club’s championship teams and could inherit the role.
Doughty, now 36, is in the final year of his contract. The Kings have stated that extension talks will be delayed until the season concludes. Still, he remains a vital presence and led Los Angeles in ice time again last year. Quinton Byfield, Adrian Kempe, and Mikey Anderson are also candidates.
The New York Islanders are entering a fresh chapter after selecting top prospect Matthew Schaefer and seeing longtime captain Anders Lee leave. Schaefer could become a future leader, but handing him the responsibility immediately would be a bold move given his age.
Bo Horvat provides a more seasoned alternative. The 31-year-old has prior captaincy experience and has netted at least 28 goals in each of his three full seasons with the Islanders. He also played for Team Canada at the Olympics and has five years remaining on his contract, which gives the team time before Schaefer might take over. Schaefer, Mathew Barzal, and Casey Cizikas are other options.
Ottawa Senators and San Jose Sharks boast young leaders
The Ottawa Senators lost captain Brady Tkachuk in a trade to Florida, where he will join his brother Matthew. Despite this setback, Ottawa has made clear it plans to remain competitive.
Jake Sanderson is the leading candidate. The 24-year-old defenceman has received Norris Trophy votes in each of the last two seasons while logging heavy minutes and excelling in puck movement. He is also under contract for six more years. Claude Giroux, Tim Stutzle, and Thomas Chabot could also be considered.
San Jose has a clear-cut choice in Macklin Celebrini. The 2024 first overall pick registered 115 points last season, the third-highest total for a teenager in NHL history, trailing only Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby.
Celebrini also represented Canada at the Olympics, scoring five goals, and served as captain at the world championship. He initially hesitated when Sidney Crosby, John Tavares, and Ryan O’Reilly pushed him to take the role, preferring Crosby to wear it. The Sharks later rewarded Celebrini with a record-breaking five-year, $94-million extension, and he could now lead the team as they aim for the playoffs. Tyler Toffoli, Jacob Trouba, and Alexander Wennberg are other candidates.
St. Louis Blues and Vancouver Canucks captain considerations
The St. Louis Blues are in a rebuilding phase following their 2019 Stanley Cup win. Justin Faulk and former captain Brayden Schenn were traded at last season’s deadline, and Jordan Kyrou departed this summer as the roster gets younger.
Colton Parayko could offer the stability this group requires. He is the last defenceman remaining from the championship squad and continues to play significant minutes for both the Blues and Team Canada. Parayko also showed loyalty by rejecting a trade to Buffalo last season. Robert Thomas, Cam Fowler, and Dylan Holloway are other possibilities.
The Vancouver Canucks might decide to hold off on naming a captain while evaluating their younger players. The team had a tough season after Quinn Hughes requested a trade, and Vancouver has since embraced a rebuild under new management and coaching staff.
If the Canucks do select a captain, Brock Boeser is a sensible choice. The 29-year-old is the longest-tenured player on the roster, has six years left on his contract, and is the only Canuck to have played alongside club presidents Daniel and Henrik Sedin. He has also scored at least 20 goals in seven of his nine full seasons, providing the kind of consistency Vancouver needs during its transition. Filip Hronek, Brendan Gallagher, and Luke Schenn are also candidates.