Earlier this week former Florida Panthers’ goalie Roberto Luongo was given the “C” by his new team, the Vancouver Canucks. Luongo is the first goalie in more than 60 years to be named a captain by his team. Current Panthers goalie Tomas Vokoun was asked earlier this week his thoughts on his fellow goalie being awarded the “C” by his team, and in no uncertain terms said it was great that Vokoun was given the honor but seems dead set against receiving the honor himself.

The Florida Panthers, with their new roster and new head coach (and former captain now playing in Phoenix), are still trying to decide who should get the honor for their team. While Vokoun, as one of the key remaining players on the Florida squad, would make a sensible choice from a veteran standpoint, he makes little sense for a logical standpoint. Goalies are not allowed by the NHL to even wear the “C” on their jersey which is half the mystique of being named captain. Seeing that “C” on your captains chest lets you know a man who will never say die is on the ice with you, and for the opposition they know one of the tougher SOBs on your team is out there. As a goalie, Vokoun wouldn’t be allowed to leave the crease to argue calls either, another major function of the captain.

Several players’ names have come up during the captain discussion including Jay Bouwmeester, Cory Stillman, Stephen Weiss, Bryan Allen, and Bryan McCabe. All are good choices, Stillman and McCabe are perhaps the best options, however they are both new to the team this year and would make it slightly odd to ask guys who haven’t even played a regular season game with their team to be looked to as the leaders. Most teams do name 2 alternate captains and as both players bring veteran experience to the team they might make good choices as alternates. McCabe did hold the roll of alternate captain for several seasons in Toronto behind Mats Sundin.

Perhaps the best trio the Panthers could pick would be Bouwmeester, McCabe, and Nathan Horton. Bouwmeester is young, 25, but has played 5 seasons with the Panthers and is viewed as their go to, #1 defenseman. Bouwmeester has put up more than 35 points in 3 of his 5 seasons (the last 3 in a row) so he is dependable and clutch at both ends of the ice. McCabe, who has already been an alternate for years, would be a great choice to back up Bouwmeester. In addition to his years of service in the same role with Toronto, McCabe is a veteran defenseman who like Bouwmeester is clutch at both ends of the ice. Horton is young also, but he is hungry to prove to other teams and his teammates that he can step up and lead the team offensively with the departure of Olli Jokinen. What better way for him to prove himself than with an “A” on his chest?

Head coach Peter DeBoer is free to chose whomever he likes to be the teams captain and alternates and has in fact commented that the team may enter the season with no official captain. But the above combo would be a great trio to have as any teams captain and alternates and the Panthers should give it serious consideration.