New Jersey Devils: Top 5 Captain Candidates Not Named Nico Hischier
3. Travis Zajac:
Travis Zajac’s tireless work ethic and “name on the front is more important than the name on the back” attitude makes him prime captain material. As the longest-tenured player on the roster, Zajac exemplifies what it’s always meant to play for the New Jersey Devils. Not to mention he sits among the franchise’s greats in games played and all the important offensive categories.
At the age of 35, he is on the tail-end of his career and would be a perfect placeholder for one of the younger up and coming stars until they are “ready” to take the reins. Additionally, New Jersey has only had one captain younger than 30 in the last 25 years. A 27-year-old Zach Parise was the lone exception in his only season as captain before bolting via free agency.
2. Miles Wood:
Just kidding. That’s not happening.
1. Kyle Palmieri
Jim Dowd was the first New Jersey native to win a Stanley Cup with the Devils. Imagine being the first New Jersey native to captain the New Jersey Devils to a Stanley Cup? That could potentially be Palmieri’s story. As the only true scoring threat on the roster, Palmieri has the NHL resume to garner a shot at the captaincy. The perennial 25-goal scorer continues to produce even when the rest of the club struggles offensively.
The 29-year-old winger has one year remaining of a five-year deal he signed in 2016. The Devils would be foolish not to extend him beyond his current deal. If and when they do offer an extension, this young team will need a strong veteran voice in the locker room. His voice is among the most respected on the team and his ascension to the role of captain seems like a natural fit.
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There you have it. The five… errr … four players I mentioned above are the only other viable options besides Hischier. My gut tells me that Nico will be the guy. Why? Probably the same reasons why you do. He’s more than proven he can handle the elevated responsibility. He immediately stepped up and assumed a greater role once the Taylor Hall trade was completed. That and a beefy contract extension assures continuity going forward and at this point, and honestly, that’s all we could ask for.