5 Candidates To Be Next New Jersey Devils Captain

4. P.K. Subban

This one might come as a surprise, but P.K. Subban marks a major change in culture for the New Jersey Devils. When the Devils traded for the defenseman, he instantly became a leader. He’s a lightning rod, but it’s always for the weirdest reasons. The latest controversy is because he’s posting workout videos this summer. So we’re mad that he’s going to a new team and wants to be in the best shape of his life? We’re mad because he’s not resting on his laurels or his $9 million annual contract?

The Devils can build around those controversies. They can build up an “us-versus-them” mentality built around their captain. Subban is another player who might not be long for the Devils, and has the same issues as Zajac without the life-long Devils clout he possesses.

Still, Subban was a leader when he was in Montreal, and he was a leader when he was in Nashville. He should have been captain those last few years while he was playing with the Canadiens, but they clearly didn’t treat him the way he deserved. It seemed like his own front office was making up stories about him. That won’t happen in New Jersey. Here, he’s a welcomed addition, and that will help him continue to grow as a leader.

Subban isn’t too likely to become captain, but he would be a good one if he was given the chance. He would make the Devils fun, and would bring a nice attitude to the locker room. Sometimes teams can carry an us against the world mentality all the way to a championship. Let’s hope Subban can do that for the Devils.