Candidates For Rangers Captaincy

As the start of a brand new season of New York Rangers Hockey will soon be upon us, one of the questions that many are curious about is, who will the Rangers name their new Captain? After trading Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks in the middle of last season, the Rangers had four players wearing the Alternate Captain’s A’s in Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, Adam Fox, and now former Ranger Chris Kreider.

So, which current Rangers on this roster should be a candidate to wear the Captain’s C on their chest? There are a few interesting choices, I believe can take over that honor if they choose to do so. New York Post’s Larry Brooks wrote in his current article that J.T. Miller should have that honor as he returned to the team that drafted him into the league. But there are others who I believe could also be a candidate for the job.

J.T. MILLER

As we have said, the East Palestine, Ohio native who was originally drafted by the Rangers back in 2011, made his return to the club when they sent Filip Chytil to the Vancouver Canucks last season. Since coming back to the Rangers, Miller has accumulated 13 Goals, 22 assists for 35 points. His physical play and toughness were on display, making him a strong candidate to take the Captaincy.

He was also a part of Team USA’s Four Nations Faceoff side when he finished off the third fight in nine seconds, along with the Tkachuck Brothers, Matthew & Brady, against Team Canada at the Bell Centre in Montreal. He might have the chops to take the reins.

VINCENT TROCHECK

The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, native has spent the last three seasons with the Rangers since he was signed as a free agent from the Carolina Hurricanes. His work ethic and timely goals have been tremendous for the Rangers in their run to the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2023-2024 season. He set a new Franchise record in the playoffs, scoring a goal in five consecutive games, joining Cecil Dillon, who did it back in the 1932-33 season

You see his energy, grit, and very infectious mentality on the ice and the bench when he is skating hard with his teammates. He is consistently communicating with his teammates and showing why he is a hard worker on the ice. He can also be a top candidate for the Rangers this season.

ADAM FOX

The Jericho, Long Island native could be given the Captaincy since Trouba held as a defensman, he has shown savvy and flair with some power through his wrist shots. Fox has also been cunning when he holds the puck and moves down the boards to join the play. He also quarterbacks the power play for the Rangers at the right point.

Grew up a Rangers fan and could be the second New York City or State native to get the C on his chest since the Rochester, New York native Ryan Callahan wore it back in the day from 2011 through 2014 before being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Martin St. Louis.

While there could be an honorable mention for someone else on the current roster, the reality is there isn’t one, as these three men are the most logical choices that new head coach Mike Sullivan will select to begin their Centennial Season. With the departure of Chris Kreider and possibly more, there will be new candidates for the Alternate Captain positions this season.

It shouldn’t be a tough decision; hopefully, it can be answered quickly, so the team knows who is leading them onto the ice at Madison Square Garden and any of the other NHL cities across the United States and Canada. Soon, the Rangers can redeem themselves and return to the playoffs toward the end of this regular season, but that journey will be a long one.