Mike Babcock takes a firm stance on naming new Leafs' captain.

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HockeyFeed
Published 8 years ago
Mike Babcock takes a firm stance on naming new Leafs' captain.

Dion Phaneuf will be in town tonight, and that has prompted discussions about his successor for the "C".

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators will face off in the Battle of Ontario on Saturday, and Phaneuf will play against the team he captained for six seasons for the first time since he was traded.

As of yet the Leafs have yet to name Phaneuf's successor, but it appears it may be some time before that happens.

Head coach Mike Babcock apparently isn't in any hurry to name the Leafs' next captain.

"No plan. No timeline," said Babcock. "Right now I don't even want to think about it. We purposely haven't got any of our kids, even though we demand some of our kids lead. We expect (Nazem) Kadri to lead, we expect (Morgan) Rielly to lead, we've given our assistant captains to our veterans who are doing it right every day, and when someone is ready they'll get the opportunity.

"This is the first time I've talked about it. I haven't to Lou (Lamoriello) about it one time, I haven't talked to Shanny about it, but I'm pretty sure you'd get the same thing from them."

The organization seems content to let the players' play do the deciding. Babcock appears to be waiting for someone to step up and show leadership.

"I think in the end when it becomes obvious to us who the next captain is, that's when it'll be," said Babcock.

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Images Courtesy of Keystone Press

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