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On Wednesday, I wrote this unbiased post on who should be the Canucks’ captain for the 2010-11 season and onwards. With all the tweets and people weighing in with their thoughts, I realized that I wanted to make a case for my favourite of the two options.

Captain Kesler

Ryan Kesler has one ability that no Canucks captain has had since 1997 – back when Trevor Linden passed the C on to Mark Messier.

In the 13 years since, Vancouver has not had a captain who has the ability to throw a serious hit. (He is also the best trashtalker to ever play for the team, but that’s just a bonus)

Well, Messier had the ability, but didn’t seem to care about the Canucks enough to bother making a hit.

Naslund, oh he definitely cared, but hitting? Look, there’s no point in asking a cat to bark. Just as you don’t bother asking Mel Gibson to be sane or telling Roger Federer to go after an attractive woman – quite simply, it’s just not in their nature.

Not a condemnation of Henrik’s talent, but like the previously mentioned Swedish captain, he’s no hitter either.

As for Roberto Luongo – there’s really no need to elaborate here.

Not only does Kesler possess a physical edge and the ability to grow a 5 o’clock shadow by 8:30am, he can also score. And he has the respect of his teammates. They know that at any given moment in a hockey game, he is putting everything he has out onto the ice. When he tells them to play harder, they listen.

Balancing Vigneault

Throughout his years behind the Canucks’ bench, Alain Vigneault has been criticized for his lack of animation at critical moments during the game. He’s known for his patience, and he doesn’t often try to motivate the team with his words.

In order to make it through 4 playoff rounds, to win 16 playoff games and ultimately win the Cup, there are going to be moments when someone needs to step up and address the troops. Maybe the team is down by 2 goals going into the 3rd period, or perhaps they’re staring elimination in the face – who better to stand in the center of the room and say “Let’s go boys. We are not losing this game.” No other Canuck can put his stamp on a game with the authority that Kes can.

Captain Material

In comparison to Luongo, Kesler has one other leadership quality – his willingness to personally accept responsibility for his team’s performance. Two years ago, it appeared that Luongo had this when he very emotionally – he cried like a little girl – admitted that he played badly against Chicago in the playoffs (the first time around). Since that moment, he seemed to regret the fact that he took the brunt of the media’s attention, and he let it be known.

Fair enough, the rest of the team was at fault too, but great leaders, those who inspire teammates to play hard for them, are always willing to take the fall for others’ mistakes. We have seen, time and time again this past season, that Luongo is not willing to do this, but Kesler is.

BC residents, just look at the way Wally Buono responds to criticism of his 1-6 BC Lions this year – he constantly answers questions about their lack of success by saying that it is ultimately his fault if the team doesn’t perform. Obviously it’s not all his doing, but how can a team not want to play harder for a coach who is constantly willing to put his neck on the line for them?

Back to Hank, perhaps he is the more balanced individual (apparently he’s become a chef now), and more of a role model. And let’s not forget that he is the NHL’s reigning MVP to boot. But does he have the ability to turn a game on its head like Kesler does?

Let Henrik focus on scoring: that’s what he does best.

To win the ultimate prize, the Canucks will need a force pushing them forward. Kesler possesses the drive and tenacity to lead this team to the Stanley Cup.

-to see the original post on who should take over as captain, click here

-to see why Roberto Luongo is not a suitable captain, click here