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New York Rangers: Kreider or Zibanejad for Captain

By Andrew Steele-Davis

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 17: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers celebrates with Mika Zibanejad #93 after a goal against the Washington Capitals during the third period at Capital One Arena on October 17, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 17: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers celebrates with Mika Zibanejad #93 after a goal against the Washington Capitals during the third period at Capital One Arena on October 17, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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Chris Kreider of the New York Rangers skates against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at the Bell Centre on February 27, 2020 in Montreal, Canada.
Chris Kreider of the New York Rangers skates against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at the Bell Centre on February 27, 2020 in Montreal, Canada. /

Hockey is on hiatus which means that we can start to look ahead for the New York Rangers.

Due to the coronavirus crisis, the New York Rangers and the rest of the sporting world is in limbo and there is no guarantee we will get hockey back this year.

Obviously, let’s hope that’s not the case and that the NHL do get to crown a Stanley Cup Champion this year, whether the Blueshirts are involved in the postseason or not.

But, in the meantime, I thought it would be a smart idea to disect and address the burning question that has split the New York Rangers fanbase…

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Who should be the 28th Captain in franchise history of the New York Rangers?

There are two clear choices: Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider.

It is an argument that has already sparked plenty of debate on social media, and it will only continue to intensify the longer the Rangers go on without appointing an official leader.

Of course, it isn’t a given that you need to have a Captain in the modern NHL with the Detroit Red Wings, the Ottawa Senators and the Vegas Golden Knights all without a player with a ‘C’ on their chest.

The Knights have opted for a leadership by committee approach since entering the league, while the Red Wings and the Senators, like the Blueshirts, are both in a rebuild so there isn’t a need to rush that process.

However, the Rangers made giant strides in 2019-20 and, whether hockey returns this year or not, they are on the cusp of becoming a contender again.

As such, it makes sense to anoint a Captain in the off-season and I will run through the pros and cons for both Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, the two leading men for the Rangers.

Let’s delve in…

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