Arizona Coyotes: Is Oliver Ekman-Larsson The Captain Of The Future?
The Arizona Coyotes have the longest tenured captain in the NHL. When Shane Doan retires, will Oliver Ekman-Larsson step up and fill his shoes?
With Shane Doan in the lineup, the Arizona Coyotes have had one of the NHL’s best captains in place since 2003.
It’s been a long time since they’ve really had to consider a replacement.
At the ripe old age of 39, however, Shane Doan had previously given some thought to hanging up his skates after this season.
That was before he scored 21 goals in 45 games. He’s been amazing in his 20th NHL season and broken virtually every important franchise record in that span.
It sure feels like Captain Coyote will return for at least one more season at age 40. After that, though, the Coyotes could have to replace the greatest player in their history.
Who else could fill his shoes but Oliver Ekman-Larsson?
“He has the personality and the character to be one of the best captains ever. He’s an incredible player, which always makes it easier if you’re captain. He has that Jonathan Toews in him, where he can do everything and always does everything. Just that special player.” — Shane Doan
If Shane Doan is the heart and soul of the Arizona Coyotes, the twenty-four year old Swede with the sick wristers is the engine that keeps it all running. Without OEL the Coyotes do not even sniff the playoffs in 2015-16.
He’s increasingly being recognized as one of the top defenders in the National Hockey League and his improvement continues year after year.
His previous career high point total was 44 in 2013-14. He has 44 points already in 2015-16 in just 56 games. He hit 23 goals last season and that was just the 13th time a defender broke 20 goals since 2000. He’s already at 17 goals this season and has twenty six games left to break his career high mark.
Things happen with Ekman-Larsson on the ice and that is primary reason head coach Dave Tippett relies on him so heavily. He’s averaged more than twenty-five minutes of time on ice for the past three seasons and this year has been no different.
Capping off his skill on the ice, Oliver Ekman-Larsson possesses the most important trait of all in a star and captain. The absolute will to win. He detests losing.
Last year with the trade of Keith Yandle, OEL assumed alternate captain duties and was honored with the “A” on his chest.
If it’s up to Shane Doan, he’ll soon be wearing the “C”.
“He has the personality and the character to be one of the best captains ever,” Doan told SI.com’s Alex Prewitt. “He’s an incredible player, which always makes it easier if you’re captain. He has that Jonathan Toews in him, where he can do everything and always does everything. Just that special player.”
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That’s quite the endorsement for #23.
Not only is Captain Coyote himself singing OEL’s praises, but there’s also the little matter of there not a whole lot of plum choices behind Ekman-Larsson.
Martin Hanzal is the other alternate captain yet he is only on the Coyotes books for one more season after 2015-16. He’s also frequently injured which creates a bit of an issue with the role.
Beyond Hanzal, the pickings are even more slim.
Max Domi looks to slot into a leadership role in the future with his tenacity and gregariousness on and off the ice.
Future franchise playmaker Dylan Strome is also currently the captain of the Erie Otters and one would imagine if he pans out into anything near what the Coyotes hope he might he may factor into the future leadership of the Arizona Coyotes as well.
For now and for the foreseeable future, however, the Coyotes are set in the leadership department.
Next: Coyotes Player Grades For Week 19
Shane Doan will lead the Arizona Coyotes until he decides to skate his final lap.
Afterwards? Well, then it’s time for the reign of Oliver Ekman-Awesome.