It's Time For The Blueshirts To Start Thinking About A New Captain

Just for the sake of argument, let us assume that Jacob Trouba will not be a Ranger next season.

The reasons for Jake The Rake to do his thumping and bumping in other precincts are numerous; starting with the fact that he has gradually lost his effectiveness.

What matters here are not the reasons for Trouba trooping elsewhere but rather who would the Chris Drury-Peter Laviolette high command want for a replacement.

The Maven sees three possibilities – Adam Fox, Vincent Trocheck and Chris Kreider. Here are the pluses and minuses for each.

KREIDER: Here we have a lifetime Ranger who is the face of the franchise. He possesses a captain's demeanor and likely could pass for the smartest guy on the squad. He still has the ability to score big and proved it in the third period of the final playoff game against Carolina. (He also was my choice over Trouba in the first place.)

TROCHECK: Wherever he's skated, Vinnie has emerged as "The Engine" of his team. And as any fan who's studied the Rangers roster carefully, Trocheck has proven to be as clutch as anyone wearing the blue shirt. Easily the most consistent and valuable of Lavvy's playoff performers, Trocheck leads by example and has done so with marvelous consistency.

FOX: Forget about Adam's blah playoff – and he wasn't so hot in the homestretch of the season either – the knee injury slowed his progress. Otherwise he's been a consistent, productive defender while excelling as the club's power play quarterback. Low-key but intense, the Long Island native would be an admirable captain and with the brains to back up the claim.

OTHERS: As productive as he was during the regular season, Breadman Panarin fills the glitzy, superstar mold more than that of an indomitable leader. Same for Mika, The Magnificent Z man and up-and-comer Big Al Lafreniere.

Assuming he'll be re-signed and back as his blue line post, I also can see management eyeing Ryan Lindgren as a wearer of the "C."

A for the potential winner of the "C," we shall see. And it will all start – and finish – with the future of Jacob Trouba!