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With Alfredsson gone, Spezza could be next Senators captain

Senators Hockey

Ottawa Senators Jason Spezza stands in front of Milan Michalek, left, and Cory Conacher, right, during the team’s practice ahead of Game 5 in their NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Eastern Conference semifinal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Ottawa, Ontario, on Tuesday, May 21, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Patrick Doyle)

AP

Daniel Alfredsson’s departure to Detroit did more than leave the fanbase hurting, it left the captaincy open in Ottawa.

Alfredsson became Senators captain in 1999 after Alexei Yashin left town, and now that he’s gone as well the Sens have to find someone to fill those big shoes. After all, 14 years is a long time.

Now it might be Jason Spezza’s turn with the “C” and Ottawa Sun writer Don Brennan supports it as does an anonymously quoted player.

“If they held a vote in the room by show of hands,” one recently retired player said Saturday, “they’d all pick Spezz.”

When you look at the guys on the Senators roster who could be captain, finding a veteran who has put in their time is a bit tricky and Spezza stands out as the lone wolf there. If putting the “C” on a young and likely cornerstone player is your thing, Erik Karlsson is right there.

No matter what, it’s going to look odd in Ottawa next season without Alfredsson there leading the way.