So About the Captaincy…

{Author’s Note: With WGR releasing the audio of Paul Hamilton’s comments, most of this article is going to be different from the one that was previously published. Most of my interpretation was wrong so here are my new thoughts on what was said.}

Earlier today, Paul Hamilton was quoted as saying ‘if [the Sabres] can’t be Thomas Vanek’s team, it’s time to move.’ Also stated was ‘if [Vanek] can’t be capable of the captaincy, move him.’

Let’s look at what he’s saying here a little bit more closely.

My brother Corey (@Corey_TGR) and I listened to Paul’s podcast as soon as it went up and listened to the interpretation. It’s amazing how much you can find out when you hear the entire context of what is going on. Corey made a statement after listening to it, explaining what he thought what Paul was saying exactly. It’s either you give Vanek the ‘C’ now so he can grow more into a leader and take this team by the horns. At the end of three years, you re-sign him and he sticks around for the rest of his career with the ‘C’ on his chest. He goes out being the captain.

…Or the next scenario is that, if you can’t give him the ‘C’ now then he should never get it in the first place and it will be time to move him out of Buffalo so he can go elsewhere. If the team won’t be his then he should not be sticking around here any longer. He’s been here long enough that he should have the chance to carry this team. If Lindy doesn’t believe in him, then how will he believe in himself?

My original thoughts were just that Paul was saying he should leave based on nothing but now I completely understand where he is coming from. Vanek has been on this team for a long time and I know that this is the viewpoint of many Gaustad fans who think he should be captain as well. ‘So and so has been here forever, they have been waiting for the ‘C’.’ My argument with Gaustad is that he has one year left on his contract while Vanek has three years left. How do we know Gaustad is going to be re-signed? We don’t. I mean, I don’t know if Vanek will be re-signed either and having the ‘C’ on his chest might determine that outcome for him. It’s something we’re going to have to wait and see. There has been a rumor that Lindy will unveil the captain after the final preseason game, which is next Tuesday.

But here’s a question, Sabres fans – Vanek is a huge part of the core of this team but so are a few other players. Would they be moved as well if they didn’t get the captaincy? Look at Pominville. Sure, he only seems to show up during the second half of the season but he is probably being looked at to have the captaincy. Do you think that Vanek is the only instance where if he isn’t made the leader of this team, he’s gone?

We have a few days to ponder over this one, folks.

Follow Shelby on Twitter: @shelbygriswold.