Analyst: Ducks Sent Captaincy Message to Carlsson “Out of Spite”

The Anaheim Ducks’ decision to name Mikael Granlund captain instead of Leo Carlsson is drawing criticism, and one analyst thinks the reasons may be personal.

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Speaking on TSN OverDrive, Bryan Hayes floated the idea that coach Joel Quenneville was frustrated by how Carlsson’s contract situation played out, including the offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers. Hayes asked his co-hosts to confirm or deny, if Leo Carlsson did not sign that offer sheet, he would have been named captain of the Ducks. Hayes went on to say he thinks he nailed the take and said, “I think out of spite,” the Ducks snubbed their new $18 million forward.

Hayes believed the Ducks were sending Carlsson a message that he wasn’t going to be the captain and chose an out-of-the-box captain in Granlund instead.

Jamie McLennan questioned the timeline. Granlund is 34 and about to turn 35, so the Ducks could need another new captain in a couple of years. Jeff O’Neill called it an idiotic take because if anyone should be blamed for the offer sheet, it’s GM Pat Verbeek. O’Neill argued Anaheim could have avoided the contract standoff by locking up Carlsson earlier, at a more reasonable number.

McLennan was quick to praise Granlund, calling him a great guy who is respected around the league and noting that he captained Finland at the Olympics. But, he also admitted that when the news came across his desk that it was Granlund as the next captain, he was surprised. “They see something there,” he said. He also pointed out that Carlsson, the second overall pick, is playing well and has the leadership traits to wear the “C” one day.

It’s An Interesting Thought, But Who’s To Blame in Anaheim?

By the end of the discussion, it was clear there was a real debate and difference of opinion. O’Neill said it was something a coach would never do. Hayes believed that the GM and owner were so upset about the way to offer sheet went down, the most Carlsson would get was a “A” on his jersey.

The Ducks have not said the decision was related to Carlsson’s contract.

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