The actual next captain
Whether or not you consider Lias Andersson a part of the current roster, he’s going to be the team’s next captain. All of the factors to consider make sense in the case of the Swedish center. At only 19 years old, the forward exudes the attitude of a captain in the making.
Andersson famously threw his silver medal from the 2018 World Junior Championship over the glass into the crowd how frustrated he was with finishing second. While some may see it as a sign of immaturity, I see it as someone who cannot stand losing. That is about as important a trait as possible when it comes to a captain. A leader who shows disdain for losing is a leader
In addition to Andersson’s medal tossing prowess, he also sounds like a leader. During an interview this past week, the forward quoted the movie “Miracle,” in an anecdote about how he got given the number 50.
“I was just given the number 50 and didn’t think about it,” Andersson said. “I play for the name on the front not the name on the back.”
The fact a 19 year old from Sweden quoted “Miracle,” has me convinced about his mindset. Provided that Andersson develops into the player the scouts think he will, he’s a safe bet for the job when the time comes.
The Rangers next captain is a 19 year old that is likely a year away from playing top six minutes in the NHL. Being that the team has a rebuilding mindset, this is a perfectly acceptable timeframe to work in. Quinn shouldn’t force the agenda by naming a captain out of obligation, wait for Andersson to be ready for the job.