I am new here, actually I have been frequently visiting this domain since before the start of the 2011 season, but never joined till today.

I recently read an article over at Bleacher Report on the reasons why Matt Duchene should be the the next captain of the Colorado Avalanche, and it got me thinking. Who is going to take over the ''C'' when Milan Hejduk retires?

While I like Mat Duchene and always get excited when he speeds down the ice on a one-on-one, I do not think he should be the next leader of the Avs. I just don't think he has quite what it takes. Of coarse it's easy for me to say that but I seem to recall Adam Foote implying something about his less than mature attitude in his rookie year. Now I do believe he has come a long way since then especially this past season, but I am still not on board for handing him the title of ''el capitan''.

Another choice is my favorite Avalanche player Ryan O'Reilly. The Factor really surprised and delighted us all last season, showing us what he is capable of. Remember his game winner in overtime against the Hurricanes? Yeah. As many of you know he and Duchene joined this team the same year. If Duchy gets considered then why not Radar too? Sure he may not have as much scoring ability but his leadership skills are definitely more obvious.This guy plays his heart out and gives the game everything he has. I would like to see him with the captain ''C'' on his jersey someday. I personally think it's a shame he doesn't have the alternate captains' ''A'' on his sweater. Now that McClement is gone maybe this can be remedied. I never did get why old Jay Mac got to be an alternate captain.

Others would like to see Johnson and that new guy Landeskog wear the ''C''. I never really understood why people wanted Johnson and while I really like Landy I think it's kind of silly to give him the title of captain right after his first year. Someday though.

This leads me to Paul Stastny. Most of you know about his father Peter Stastny. This guy set records and still remains to this day on of the best players in the game. I was reading about Peter Stastny, about his play making abilities, his rise to fame and named team captain as well as a certain Joe Sakic he took under his wing and mentored. At first it looked like Paul might surpass his fathers records, but as of late, his game leaves much to be desired. If he was anyone else it wouldn't be such a big deal, but the bar has been set high for him. This past season in particular has been less than stellar. Is it because everyone he had good chemistry with is ether retired or traded? I think this next season ( depending on the lockout) will be as much a chance to prove himself as it will be for Hejduk. If he can find consistency and find the mojo he had just a few years ago he might just prove himself a capable leader and teammate. In his first years he got to play with superstar Joe Sakic. Sakic mentored him in a way that Peter Stastny mentored super Joe. I think this would be a fabulous way to bring every thing around in full circle. The then Captain of the team Stastney taught the young Sakic, who became the next captain. Sakic taught the Young Son of Stastny and it would be really cool if was the one to take up the mantle. As one of the more experienced players I think he could bring somewhat of a veteran leadership to the team. We have seen flashes of brilliance from his earlier years but just isn't consistent. Do you think that the line of Jones-Stastny-McGinn will change his current predicament?

These are just my opinions though. I would like to hear yours.