Report: Red Wings name replacement for former alternate captain Pavel Datsyuk.

Some big shoes to fill.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 7 years ago
Report: Red Wings name replacement for former alternate captain Pavel Datsyuk.
Keystone Press

The Red Wings have given one of their veterans some huge shoes to fill.

On Tuesday the team officially announced that Justin Abdelkader would be taking over as the new alternate captain for the team, a big leadership role to fill under the best of circumstances.

Thankfully for Abdelkader he is already one of the most beloved players among the Detroit Red Wings fan base, because he will have huge shoes to fillas the position he takes over was formerly held and was vacated by Pavel Datsyuk when he announced his departure from the National Hockey League earlier this summer.

It's a big responsibility for Abdelkader to take over, but based on how he appeared to be one of the very bright spots for Team USA at the recent World Cup tournament, where he was leaned on in a leadership role, indicated he is likely more than ready to answer this challenge.

There is an additional benefit to naming Abdelkader the captain, he is under long-term contract with the Wings, indicating this is a role he can fill for the foreseeable future, perhaps even in preparation for taking over the "C" should that time come.

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