Kings not denying impending captaincy change

The Los Angeles Kings aren't tossing cold water on a report suggesting a new captain will soon be named.

When the puck drops on the new season, it's believed someone other than Dustin Brown will be wearing the 'C', as the club wants to go in a "different direction" with their captaincy following two straight early playoff exits, TSN's Frank Seravalli reported Friday.

The report was not refuted by the club, writes Lisa Dillman of the Los Angeles Times:

Brown could not be reached for comment. A front office executive did not dispute the item but objected to an interpretation of the news, stating, via text, that Brown had not been 'stripped' of anything.

The Kings, also, would not confirm if the new captain would be (Anze) Kopitar, who would be starting an eight-year contract worth $80 million this upcoming season.

Brown has served as captain since 2008, and raised the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014. He remains under contract with the Kings until 2022, and is still owed over $35 million ($5.875 million per year) over that time.