Around the League: Is This Former Flyer The Next Captain of The St. Louis Blues?

2020: Jacob Markstrom (34 saves) and Vancouver Canucks defeat St. Louis Blues in Game Two of Western Conference first round series, 4-3 in overtime. https://t.co/m5hnk451u9 pic.twitter.com/mlqTWm4jk3� Doug Norris (@GoalieHistory) August 15, 2022

More recently, you've heard of names like Backes, Pietrangelo, and of course the current captain Ryan O'Reilly. O'Reilly took the helm following the departure of Pietrangelo in 2020 and has been steering the ship for the Blues ever since. He is an all-around player, he crashes the net, plays hard defensive hockey; if the puck is loose, you better believe the captain is trying to get it to his squad. Currently he is the obvious choice for the captaincy and his play makes it hard to say otherwise. BUTthe 22-23 season is the last year of his contract and is making 7.5M as a 31-year-old center.

Many of you are asking, «so what? O'Reilly is our guy!» If you look at the history of the captaincy in St. Louis, you will notice a pattern. 14 out of the 23 players that have held this role have been in this position for 2 years or less. So, in other words, 60% of captains hold the role for equal to or less than 2 years.

Another pattern you may have picked up on is that for the last decade St. Louis hasn't had a great retention rate for their captains. Former Captain David Backes left in 2016 to sign with Boston on a five-year deal. He was 32 at the time of signing. Former Captain Alex Pietrangelo left the Blues in 2020 to join the Las Vegas Golden Knights, he signed a 7-year deal at the age of 30.

So what does that mean for O'Reilly as he heads into a contract year? I believe, as hard as it is to think, that we will be looking for a new captain next season. O'Reilly is 31 years old and still has a ton of life left to live as an NHL player. We have to look at the past to guide us though; and Doug Armstrong, St. Louis Blues GM, doesn't seem to like signing players in their 30's to long term and high dollar deals. So, we are more than likely going to see a new captain as much as it pains us to think about.

The St. Louis Blues have officially named forward Ryan O'Reilly the 23rd captain in franchise history.

Vladimir Tarasenko, Brayden Schenn and Colton Parayko will be the alternate captains. pic.twitter.com/9JqDdS5Dri� Complete Hockey News (@CompleteHkyNews) December 23, 2020

Who is going to step up to the calling? There are a few names we can choose from, but one stands out as most probable.

Choice one is Robert Thomas. He just signed an 8-year 8M AAV extension. He is well on his way of becoming an elite player in the NHL, but he isn't there yet. At this point, he is not going to be the next captain.

Choice two is Pavel Buchnevich. He is on his second year of a 4-year deal where he is making 5.8M AAV. He did have a great season last year putting up numbers like G: 30, A: 46, P: 76. However, this is the first year his numbers have been like this, his tenure in New York didn't provide the same results. We will see what this season brings and if he can play at this level consistently. For these reasons, Buch is probably not going to be the next captain of the Blues.

Choice three is Brayden Schenn. He is on his third year of an eight-year deal where he is making 6.5M AAV. He is currently 30 years old and would be 31 at the time he would take over as captain. Schenn is a natural leader, he is passionate about the game, and plays hard and tough every shift. If the St. Louis Blues are looking for a new captain, Schenn is the man for the job.

During Schenn's time in St. Louis, he has proven his consistency. As he gets older, his stats are staying constant, maybe even better than in the past. In the 15-16 season, Schenn put up numbers like these:

GP: 80, G: 26, A: 33, P: 59.

In comparison, this past season these were his numbers:

GP: 62, G: 24, A:34, P: 58.

If you look at these, you'll notice something intriguing, he has the same numbers and played less games. Schenn's play goes a whole lot deeper than just statistics. He is an all-around player who is willing to take the hits, and to be the one giving the hits when the time calls for it. He is a natural born leader, who takes young players under his wing and helps develop them as well. If and when the Blues need a new captain, the obvious choice would be Brayden Schenn.

The Blues are going to be faced with a lot of choices next season when it comes to extensions and who is coming and going from the team. Ryan O'Reilly is definitely a name to watch and a name that we would love to see on the extended list. Although past history tells us that the odds may not be in the captain's favor. However, even if we aren't able to resign our beloved captain, we know the Blues will be in safe hands. They will be led by the ones who remain, the natural leaders, the ones who are consistent day in and day out. The ones who will ultimately be elevated to a role worthy of some historic and notable predecessors. The role of captaincy for the St. Louis Blues. If Brayden Schenn continues doing what he has been doing, he will be in that role soon enough. Captain Brayden Schennthat has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? And who knows, maybe even a cup too.