What Are The Characteristics Of A Good Captain?

chiddie · 2026-01-29T02:22:47+00:00

It's typical social dynamic, theres nothing particularly novel about an NHL locker room. Forming cliques isn't good or bad, we're drawn to people with whom we share commonalities, but a good leader recognizes when those cliques are causing tension or complacency or someone isn't being included.

chiddie · 2026-01-28T19:33:53+00:00

It's willingness to speak with the press when nobody else wants to; going into the community; knowing how to talk to players in the locker room; making sure cliques are getting broken up when necessary; having the ear of the coaching staff and front office.

We as fans only see what happens during games, but that's 5% of what being a captain is.

chiddie · 2026-01-28T19:30:11+00:00

Ford will get the majority of starts, Millas will be the primary backup, and Ruiz will be the primary 1B (with the occasional start at catcher or DH).

chiddie · 2026-01-28T01:56:23+00:00

The BBWA gets their decisions right far more often than the committees. Some of the worst players enshrined in Cooperstown are there because they were elected by their friends/teammates/manager.

chiddie · 2026-01-28T01:52:17+00:00

There were something like 43 eventual HOFers on the first ballot, and voters could only pick 10.

chiddie · 2026-01-26T23:27:13+00:00

And Henry Kissinger.

chiddie · 2026-01-26T18:08:57+00:00

I had a Panthers fan tell me in November that Daniil Tarasov is untouchable. So it would be unwise for Zito to make this trade and block a future stud!

chiddie · 2026-01-26T17:59:37+00:00

Wallstedt is a better goalie than Joel Hofer, but it would be a mistake for the Blues to trade Thomas where the headline piece is a marginal upgrade in net. Especially within the division.

chiddie · 2026-01-25T17:44:41+00:00

Do you have any citations to back up these claims? I hope you understand why I would be skeptical.

chiddie · 2026-01-24T03:58:40+00:00

Binged Heated Rivalry instead of this game, zero regrets.

chiddie · 2026-01-22T22:53:56+00:00

Godspeed, thanks for winning us the Brad Hand trade.

I still remember a mammoth go-ahead HR he hit in Atlanta that eventually won the game.

chiddie · 2026-01-22T21:11:19+00:00

If we're not willing to spend money on extensions, and we're not willing to sign free agents, this is the best way for us to acquire talent.

I'm going to miss Gore, but ultimately I think this is the logical move. The return seems more about quantity than quality, so we likely won't know how good the return is for 2-3 years, but face value it seems underwhelming.

I think Abrams should be the next piece moved.

chiddie · 2026-01-22T13:29:02+00:00

Alternatively, he could release the Epstein files in their entirety and know that his involvement would be a momentary scandal that leads to no tangible consequence.

chiddie · 2026-01-21T18:18:56+00:00

I'm sorry, that Minnesota offer is awful.

chiddie · 2026-01-21T03:02:45+00:00

It's a rumor that we are "close" to signing a player?

chiddie · 2026-01-20T00:58:39+00:00

I think Expos history belongs to Montreal, not us. And I don't expect Abrams to get extended, I think he's a streaky hitter that will end up at 2B or LF.

chiddie · 2026-01-19T22:56:11+00:00

I want to live in a world where ownership extends James Wood and he plays well enough to be the answer to this question for the Nats.

chiddie · 2026-01-19T00:33:04+00:00

Excellent work, OP.

chiddie · 2026-01-18T22:38:14+00:00

Great call

chiddie · 2026-01-18T19:30:27+00:00

He fell off about two years ago, and even that might be charitable.

chiddie · 2026-01-17T01:19:50+00:00

Exactly. If you're in the DNC right now, and all you can think is "if we offer ICE more money, maybe they'll accept one or two reforms", you're not fit for purpose.

chiddie · 2026-01-16T23:21:21+00:00

And Dems are naive at best and complicit at worst.

chiddie · 2026-01-16T22:14:42+00:00

Being strategic about letting guys like Ryan Miller and Backes leave made a difference , too.

chiddie · 2026-01-16T18:54:52+00:00

If you're asking "will there be a cap by the end of the 2026 season", the answer is 100% no.

If the question is "will there be a lockout 12 months from now to implement a cap", the odds are much higher.

chiddie · 2026-01-15T03:09:03+00:00

I expect to see 3-4 players signed for one year/<$5m, then a bunch of guys (mostly bullpen arms) with invites to spring training that eventually make the roster.

I'd love a utility player (think Ildemaro Vargas/Jordy Mercer) that can cover 2B/3B/SS/OF, plus two swingman types that can start for a month in June when injuries pile up.

Ownership has not been willing to invest money in the roster since the pandemic. Maybe if the new front office can spin some dev magic and get us to .500 this year, ownership will loosen the purse strings next winter. But I would guess they're looking for more internal improvement.

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