"Utah needs Trouba" "Surprised Keller isn't already": Hockey fans speculate over who should fill current captain vacancies among major NHL teams

NHL fans have mixed opinions on what their team should do with their captaincy. Being a captain in the NHL is important as it means you are the leader of your team, but some fans think their team should make changes.

Six NHL teams have vacancies with their captain, and Bardown asked how each team should replace their team captains.

"Utah needs Trouba," a fan added.

"I’m surprised Keller isn’t captain already," a fan added.

Other fans offered their suggestions but Victor Hedman in Tampa Bay was a popular pick.

"Bedard in Chicago, no brainer. Sabres, doesn’t matter absolute garbage franchise what difference is a captain gonna make. Ducks will be Terry, Kraken will be berniers, Tampa will be Hedman," a fan added.

"Hedman worked too hard to not earn the title. If JBB/Coop can’t give him that then really what are we doing?," a fan added.

Although NHL teams don't have to have a captain, it is surprising that six of 32 do not have one. But, many fans hope all get named by the start of the 2024-25 NHL season.

Jacob Trouba Doesn't Want To Be Traded

The New York Rangers could be the seventh team needing a captain, as their current captain Jacob Trouba has been the subject of trade rumors.

However, Trouba has a no-trade clause and is reluctant to be traded, but New York Post's Larry Brooks reports that Trouba doesn't want to waive.

"Now the Rangers have leverage via the limited no-trade clause and have decided they can’t afford an $8M cap hit for a defenseman who is projected to be on the third pair. It doesn’t matter whether he was Captain Courageous playing on a broken ankle in the playoffs or not.

"If Trouba does not approve a trade to Detroit that is believed in place, he will ultimately be sent somewhere else, perhaps by waivers. The decision has been made," Brooks wrote in his New York Post article.

Trouba has two years left on his deal that pays him $8 million per year. The Detroit Red Wings have been the team showing the most interest in him.