Looking Back At Former NHL Captains Who Lost the 'C'

Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Auston Matthews was formally announced as the Original Six club’s new captain on Wednesday. 

With this, John Tavares will no longer be the club’s captain. However, it is important to note that Tavares isn’t necessarily being stripped of the captaincy, as he was heavily involved in the process of the switch and fully supports it. 

Related: Handing Over the ‘C’ Must Not Have Been Easy, But It’s What Made John Tavares a Perfect Toronto Maple Leafs Captain

While it is a big deal that the Maple Leafs are making a captaincy change, fans have seen it multiple times around the league. Let’s discuss some of the most notable captain changes in recent NHL history. 

Blake Wheeler, Winnipeg Jets (2016-17 to 2021-22)

Blake Wheeler was a crucial part of the Winnipeg Jets’ roster during his prime years. 

With Winnipeg, he cemented himself as a legitimate NHL star, and he later became their captain because of it. 

However, after the 2021-22 season, former Jets coach Rick Bowness stripped Wheeler of the ‘C’ and expected the club’s younger players to take on more significant leadership roles. 

After losing the captaincy, Wheeler played one more season with the Jets before being bought out during the 2023 off-season. 

The Jets also named Adam Lowry as their new captain for the 2023-24 season, officially beginning a new leadership era in Winnipeg. 

Patrick Marleau, San Jose Sharks (2003-04 to 2008-09)

Patrick Marleau will forever be among the best players in San Jose Sharks history. However, things were not always peachy in San Jose, as Marleau was notably stripped of the Sharks’ captaincy after they were upset by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round of the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs.

This was a significant change, as Marleau was 11 seasons into his Sharks tenure and already cemented himself as a franchise legend. However, after multiple deflating playoff runs, the Sharks felt new leadership was needed. 

From there, legend Rob Blake became their captain for the 2009-10 season before retiring. Then, Joe Thornton took over, and history repeated itself.

Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks (2010-11 to 2013-14)

Thornton became the captain of the Sharks for the 2010-11 season. Since he was their top star and had previous experience as captain of the Boston Bruins, it was an understandable move. However, after more disappointing playoff runs, Thornton suffered the same fate as Marleau and lost the captaincy. 

Thornton was stripped of the ‘C’ after the Sharks blew a 3-0 series lead to the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the 2013-14 playoffs. From there, the Sharks went with Joe Pavelski, who held the role from 2015-16 to 2018-19 before signing with the Dallas Stars.

Dustin Brown, LA Kings (2008-09 to 2015-16) 

Dustin Brown helped lead the Kings to both of their Stanley Cups in 2012 and 2014. However, his time as the Kings’ captain would not be too long after their second Stanley Cup, as he was stripped of the ‘C’ after the 2015-16 campaign.

The Kings named Anze Kopitar their new captain. He is still holding the role with the Kings heading into 2024-25 as they look to return to contender status. 

And while Brown told the Associated Press at the time he respected the decision, he had a problem with how it was handled and that it was a tough pill to swallow. 

That said, he had his No. 23 retired in February 2023 and had a statue unveiled outside Crypto.com Arena.

Mike Modano, Dallas Stars (2003-04 to 2005-06)

Mike Modano spent 20 of his 21 NHL seasons with the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars organization. Over that span, he became the franchise’s biggest legend. But even with this being the case, he was also stripped of the captaincy after a two-year stint in the role.

After the 2005-06 season, the Stars decided to take away the captaincy from Modano. From there, they went with Brendan Morrow as their new captain, but Modano stuck around with Dallas before ending his career with the Detroit Red Wings in 2010-11. 

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