As another NHL season winds down, it's time to take stock of those that wear the "C" - the captains. Usually a team's best player, the man with the "C" on his jersey often gets the glory, but also the blame.
We're going to rank the captains of all 30 clubs Wednesday through Friday, starting with 30 through 16.
Here is the third tier of NHL captains.
30. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs traded captain Dion Phaneuf in February. His 400-plus-game tenure was defined by failure - he wore the "C" in Game 7, when the Maple Leafs were up 4-1.
Toronto went captainless for two seasons after Mats Sundin - the greatest captain in franchise history - departed. And a similar vacancy is likely in store as the club completes the first season of its rebuild. William Nylander isn't ready. Yet.
29. Edmonton Oilers
Todd McLellan's first season behind the bench in Edmonton saw him go without a captain. Leadership isn't the issue with the Oilers; the club's problems go far deeper. But this we know: Connor McDavid will be the next captain of the Oilers. The only question is, "When?"
28. Carolina Hurricanes
Another rebuilding club without a captain after trading Eric Staal. All in all, a solid rebuilding season for Bill Peters and co. Jeff Skinner's an option, but Jordan Staal makes sense, too. A captain-less season could be in the cards as well.
27. Winnipeg Jets
The Jets traded their captain, Andrew Ladd, to the Chicago Blackhawks before this year's deadline. That opens up the job for Dustin Byfuglien, who's locked up through 2019-20 and one of the most intimidating players in the game. But there's also an argument to be made for Blake Wheeler, one of the criminally underrated players in hockey. There's no wrong answer between the two.
26. Andy Greene
Andy Greene is a very Devils captain. He's 33, a stay-at-home defenseman, and a lifelong Devil. He took the job this season, replacing another unheralded defenseman in Bryce Salvador. Greene's locked up through 2020, so his job appears safe, but Patrik Elias should wear the "C" if he gets into one more game, likely his last.
25. Brian Gionta
Gionta's a placeholder captain in Buffalo - not that there's anything wrong with that. Signed through next season, he'll likely hand over the gig to Ryan O'Reilly, because, let's face it, Jack Eichel doesn't need that kind of pressure.
24. Nick Foligno
After three seasons without a captain, Nick Foligno donned the "C" in 2015-16, and things haven't gone so well. The club's awful start saw head coach Todd Richards fired, John Tortorella brought in, and Ryan Johansen - thought to be the future of the franchise - traded. Columbus failed to make the playoffs when expectations were arguably the highest they've ever been in Ohio, and Foligno's had one of his worst season's offensively. It can only get better from here.
23. Max Pacioretty
Being named captain of the Montreal Canadiens was a dream for Max Pacioretty. It quickly turned into a nightmare. After Montreal went without a captain in 2014-15, Pacioretty's tenure began almost historically but ended in heartbreak. The forward admits the season's been an excellent learning experience, as he tried to take on too much responsibility and his own game suffered.
"It's definitely been a tough experience, but I have to get better from this and I have to learn what it takes to be a great captain," he said.
22. Shane Doan
Doan is completing his 11th season as captain of the Coyotes, and they are a young team on the rise. Doan's also scoring, his 27 goals his highest total since 2008-09. The lifelong member of the Coyotes franchise will turn 40 in October, so the end is near, but there's arguably no better captain for a young team like the one in Arizona. He'll pass the torch to Oliver Ekman-Larsson, one of the best defensemen in the league.
21. Willie Mitchell
Willie Mitchell's in his second season as Florida Panthers captain, but unfortunately there's no guarantee he'll get to play in the playoffs. He's been out with a concussion since Jan. 18. It's a shame, because Mitchell is one of the more respected elders in the NHL, and played over 20 minutes a game for the Kings' Cup-winning teams in 2012 and 2014.
20. Mark Giordano
Giordano's completing his third season as captain of the Calgary Flames, and his production isn't an issue. He hit the 20-goal mark for the first time in his career, and his 55 points are a personal best. He plays a ton, and is everything you want from a No. 1 defenseman - and a captain for a young team. He simply needs some help. Especially in goal.
19. Henrik Sedin
Sedin took over for Roberto Luongo in 2010, and he's been an exemplary captain. He is one of the (same) two faces of the franchise, he produces, and he plays, missing only 20 games in the past six seasons. Unfortunately, Sedin plays for the directionless Canucks, and will be 36 in September. He'll wear the "C" until he wants to out west, but there's currently no clear candidate to succeed him.
18. Gabriel Landeskog
The good news for Gabriel Landeskog: Patrick Roy likes him. And the Colorado Avalanche head coach doesn't seem to like a lot of his players. Only 23, Landeskog's already completing his fourth season with the "C." The team's only been to the playoffs once during that time, and until the Avs succeed, there will be questions as to whether too much was placed on Landeskog's shoulders too soon. Five times a 20-goal scorer, and four times a 50-point producer, Landeskog's the man in Denver until he's not.
17. Mikko Koivu
Koivu's the perfect Minnesota Wild captain: drafted by the franchise, a solid possession player, responsible defensively, and often good for 50 points. You could do a lot worse.
16. Dustin Brown
Brown's been captain of the Kings for eight seasons, and he's in the third tier of those with the "C" simply due to a lack of production. But being a captain is about more than scoring goals and racking up points - Brown's a great example. He's clearly an important cog on a Kings team that's been ultra-competitive over the past seven years. And he's a Stanley Cup winner.
Check back Thursday as we continue to rank NHL captains, from No. 15 down to No. 6.
