A Winning Habit
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Canadiens Captaincy Can Go In Three Different Directions

By Patrick Lortie

MONTREAL, QC - NOVEMBER 06: (L-R) Brendan Gallagher #11, Nick Suzuki and Jeff Petry #26 of the Montreal Canadiens stand during the anthems prior to the game against the Vegas Golden Knights at Centre Bell on November 6, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - NOVEMBER 06: (L-R) Brendan Gallagher #11, Nick Suzuki and Jeff Petry #26 of the Montreal Canadiens stand during the anthems prior to the game against the Vegas Golden Knights at Centre Bell on November 6, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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Joel Edmundson (Photo by Rich Graessle/Getty Images)
Joel Edmundson (Photo by Rich Graessle/Getty Images) /

If the title of captain comes down to a player vote, there’s a strong chance the winner would be Joel Edmundson.

Edmundson has grown considerably both as an athlete and as a person since joining the Montreal Canadiens in 2020. His playing style has matured beyond the years he spent with the St. Louis Blues and Carolina Hurricanes and he always has the back of his teammates. You will often see Edmundson chatting it up with both veterans and rookies alike in order to teach and learn himself.

The 28 year old has taken things above and beyond since returning to the team this season after suffering through an extremely painful back injury and grieving the loss of his father. He has taken some younger players under his wing, notably Jordan Harris and Justin Barron. When Harris joined the team in Florida, he immediately took the initiative to take him out for dinner and make him feel welcome, being tagged long with Christian Dvorak (who has emerged as a sort of shy but present leader in the locker room).

He is also in constant communication with Justin Barron both on and off the ice. Edmundson assumed the mentor role in order for Barron’s transition to the NHL is done seemlessly.

Pros: Edmundson embraces the pressure of leadership and always wants what is best for his teammates and the team in general. He is a warrior on the ice and has gotten immediate respect from the fans and coaches alike.

Cons: Despite Edmundson’s unquestionable leadership, you have to wonder if he is capable of handling the media. He does well in front of a microphone but we don’t if he would be able to handle the day-to-day media scrimmages. Furthemore, can he connect to the Montreal culture as deeply as Brendan Gallagher has?

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