Is Florida’s New Captain Derek Mackenzie the Right Choice?



This season, six new players will skate out onto the ice with a “C” on their jersey for the first time, and two teams won’t have any captain on the ice at all. Most teams have chosen to name younger captains, like Connor McDavid, or players who have been with their franchise for several years, like Mike Fisher. However, one particular situation is the Florida Panthers new captain Derek MacKenzie.

MacKenzie, 35, has had a long career, playing for the Atlanta Thrashers, Columbus Blue Jackets, and now the Florida Panthers. MacKenzie  has been jumping between the AHL and the NHL all though his life. MacKenzie has played 454 NHL games, and 548 AHL games.

MacKenzie has been an excellent fourth line player all throughout his career. Mackenzie brings an edge to the table without sacrificing skill. MacKenzie is a very capable leader and has shown flashes of skill, like his diving goal against the Jets last season. MacKenzie, however is most known for his grit, physicality, and play in his own zone. Mackenzie is the Panther’s enforcer and is playing in a dying role. The enforcer is being pushed out quickly in favor of youth and skill. MacKenzies character and work ethic are without question, but Mackenzie does have some major flaws.

With MacKenzie expected to lead the Panthers back into the playoffs, the question must be asked. Is he the right choice? The Panthers a a very young team with skill and speed and they are ready to follow in the Penguins footsteps, and fly by the competition. The Panthers, however, chose a captain that exemplifies the past not the future.
MacKenzie’s style of play isn’t what the Panthers identity is. MacKenzie has 42 goals and 95 points throughout his career, and his style of play focuses on grit. The Florida Panthers would have been better suited to choose a player that exemplifies the skill and speed that the team has. MacKenzie’s age is also a question. At 35 he wont be around for the long haul.

The obvious choice would have been legend, Jarmoir Jagr. Jagr, has repeatedly says that he doesn’t want it. He is happy in his current situation and doesn’t want to take on the captaincy. If Jagr wanted it, the Panthers would have probably given it to him.

The other choice would be star defenseman, Aaron Ekblad. Ekblad currently wears an “A” but has steadily taken a leadership role and improved his play immensely. Ekblad missed 4 games last season but was still able to bump his goal total from 12 to an astonishing 15, while improving his defensive play.

The Florida Panthers, are most likely, playing the long game. The Panthers picked MacKenzie for the reason that he will not be long term. This gives Florida’s young group of players time to mature and when they are ready, the captaincy will be passed on. The most likely choice would be Ekblad, considering he is already in a leadership role, but there are several options for the Panthers to consider including Jared McCann, Alexander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Vincent Trocheck. One thing is for sure. The future is bright down in Florida.  

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