NEW YORK -- With Brian Gionta gone the Montreal Canadiens need a new captain -- and there is no shortage of candidates. A pair of 25-year-old stars, 2013 Norris Trophy-winning defenceman P.K. Subban and U.S. Olympic forward Max Pacioretty, each said theyd love to wear the "C" beginning this season. Veteran defenceman Andrei Markov and veteran centre Tomas Plekanec are also considered among the top possibilities. Subban, one of the faces of the franchise along with goaltender Carey Price, recently signed a US$72-million, eight-year contract after going to arbitration as a restricted free agent. At the NHL/NHLPA player media tour Tuesday, he made a case for why he should be the captain. "I think that Id embrace it," Subban said. "Added responsibility to me makes a player better, and I think Ive accomplished a lot in a short time in this league and Ive earned the respect of my peers and my opponents to command the respect that a captain deserves. I really believe that Ive earned a lot of respect in this league, both on and off the ice." In addition to the Norris during the lockout-shortened season, Subban has now played 284 NHL games and won a gold medal at the Sochi Olympics as Team Canadas eighth defenceman. He added that he sees a captain as someone whos "able to perform on the ice and bring it for their teammates in ... the toughest moments." Pacioretty similarly jumped at the notion of succeeding Gionta as captain. "I think anyone who wants to be a leader on their team would want to be a captain of a team, especially with a franchise with such history like that," said Pacioretty, who added that hed be completely on board if the team went in another direction. During an EA Sports demo event last week in Toronto, the NHL15 video game had the "C" on Paciorettys chest. "I was joking around I think someone at EA Sports deserves a promotion for doing that," Pacioretty said with a smile. "I didnt know about that before. But its cool." Asked at the player media tour in New York who he thought should be captain if it wasnt him, Pacioretty stumped for Markov, the Russian defenceman who is going into his 14th season in Montreal and is signed for three more years. "Hes a guy that leads by example, and hes been around Montreal for a while," Pacioretty said. "Behind closed doors hes one of the hardest workers Ive seen and I think that goes a long way, especially with some of the young guys, as well." Gionta had been captain since the start of the 2010-11 season, replacing the longest-serving player in that job, Saku Koivu. Koivu, the captain from 1999 through 2009, announced his retirement Wednesday after an 18-year NHL career. "I feel I was truly lucky to have a chance to play for the legendary Canadiens for so many years and serve as captain, and share that great honour with many truly legendary captains from before my time," Koivu said in a statement. Gionta, who left in free agency to sign a US$12.75-million, three-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres, pointed to Plekanec, fourth-liner Travis Moen and Price as big voices in the locker room. "Those are the guys that are kind of going to bridge that gap to the younger core thats coming up now," Gionta said. The Habs could feature an entirely new leadership group, as alternate captain Josh Gorges was traded to the Sabres. Markov wore the other "A" last season. Montreal is one of seven teams without a captain going into training camp, along with the Ottawa Senators, Sabres, New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks, Florida Panthers and Columbus Blue Jackets. A year after Daniel Alfredsson left Ottawa for Detroit, the Senators will have their second captain in two seasons after trading Jason Spezza to the Dallas Stars. Defenceman Erik Karlsson reiterated Tuesday hed gladly accept that honour and figures to be in the discussion along with Chris Phillips and Chris Neil. Karlsson lived with Alfredsson, who was captain from 1999 through 2013, but said he doesnt think hell mimic his friends style. "I will never be the same leader as Alfie was," Karlsson said. "He had his own way and Jason Spezza had his own way and Chris Neil and Chris Phillips and all the other guys have their own ways, as well. Everybodys a little bit different. But I think just being around such a good group of guys, hopefully that can help me develop as a player and as a person and as a leader for the better." Buffalo went with co-captains to start the 2013-14 season and subsequently traded Thomas Vanek and Steve Ott. Gionta said there has been no talk of assuming that role with the Sabres. "You dont go to a place with the expectation or the hope that something like thats going to happen," Gionta said. "You go in, you try to integrate yourself with the players that are there and try to learn from them whats going on." New York made it to the Stanley Cup final without a captain after trading Ryan Callahan to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Rangers most senior alternate, Brad Richards, was bought out and signed with the Chicago Blackhawks, leaving defencemen Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi, Marc Staal and wingers Rick Nash and Martin St. Louis as the most likely replacements. Sharks coach Todd McLellan recently told San Jose reporters that Joe Thornton wouldnt be the captain and Patrick Marleau wouldnt be an alternate at least at the beginning of camp, calling it a "fresh slate" of leadership. Centre Logan Couture or forward Joe Pavelski figure to be in the hunt. Florida used a compliance buyout on captain Ed Jovanovski. The young Panthers, if they choose to name a replacement, could turn to defenceman Brian Campbell or hand the reins to one of the kids, like Jonathan Huberdeau or Nick Bjugstad. The Blue Jackets havent had a captain since trading Nash to New York in the summer of 2012. In no rush to sew a "C" on someones jersey, Columbus -- which rotated alternates between Brandon Dubinsky, Jack Johnson and others -- could go without yet again. Assuming the Habs go the traditional route, Subban hopes he gets the nod. After signing a face-of-the-franchise contract in early August, the Toronto native said he didnt want the coaching staff or teammates to view him differently and repeated that this week, captaincy or not. "I want people to see me as a player that competes hard, is respectful, thats trustworthy and thats a leader," Subban said. "Thats what I want people to see me for." Harrison Bader . -- For one night, Nick Calathes provided a big reason to believe the Memphis Grizzlies might be able to withstand the loss of Mike Conley on a short-term basis. Carlos Martinez .A. Happ? Happs seven wins are second on the staff to Mark Buehrles 10. Win-loss record is an antiquated stat, sure, but win total is generally an indication of a pitchers ability to work deep into games, enough to be personally affected by the result. http://www.custommlbcardinalsjersey.com/custom-marcell-ozuna-jersey-large-1391q.html. On paper, it looks a little like Andre the Giant taking on a midget wrestler. It has all the makings of a rout with the Americans adding an eighth win in nine outings of this biennial event. The Yanks have eight players in the top 15 in the world while the Internationals have just one. Vince Coleman . Plata blasted a rising shot to the upper left corner for his team-leading seventh goal of the season. He got the kick after referee Allen Chapman ruled Chris Tierney fouled John Stertzer in the penalty area. Enos Slaughter . With the win, the Marlies complete a three-game series sweep of the Admirals and move on to the second round of the Calder Cup playoffs. T.J. Brennan added an empty netter with less than 25 seconds remaining for his second of the playoffs.TSN football analyst Chris Schultz is back with his Week 20 selections in the CFL. The Big Man finished 3-1 in Week 19, and sits at 53-24 on the season. Now Schultz is ready for more action. Ottawa Redblacks at Toronto Argonauts First things first, control what you can control, take care of business. All the clich&覡s you have ever heard of in football will be heard and discussed all week with Argonauts football because before they can talk about playoffs, they must first beat the Redblacks. And all logic says they will. You know Ottawa will want to look at several players to assess their ability - that is a priority – which means at certain points Toronto can take advantage, expecting the basics of football as opposed to a specific game plan. If Toronto were to lose and have a losing record they really dont deserve to be in the playoffs. But, with a win, it transfers pressure on to Montreal and Hamilton in a big way. Ricky Ray may not play but urgency will be high in Toronto to win. Curiosity will be high in Ottawa to look forward to 2015. Argos. Calgary Stampeders at BC Lions The Lions have played Saskatchewan twice this year and split the series. Both are 9-8 losses but the Lions hold the tie breaker in head to head points. In their two meetings BC has scored 42 points, Saskatchewan 33. So if both lose, BC stays in the West and if both win, BC stays in the West. The Lions’ biggest challenge is to regenerate confidence in themselves. When you lose the way they lost last week, the video next day is more than difficult to watch, it is painful. You can learn and use it as an improvement tool but there comes a point in the next 24 hours you need to get it out of your mind. The Lions are a playoff team and will have a chance to win it all, but must remain confident. The 37-3 score is not an indicator off ability for BC, it just was a BAD day.dddddddddddd That is how you must look at it after you learn from the pain of reviewing it. For Calgary, it is a blessing and a curse. First place, well deserved and well done. How do you stay healthy in a sport that is impossible to avoid that risk. After the Cornish moment I do think Calgary will be precautionary. BC. Montreal Alouettes at Hamilton Tiger-Cats This is 9-8 against 8-9 losses but the 9-8 team is on a roll. The Alouettes story reminds me of the BC Lions a few years back that lost just about every game in July and August and went on to win the Grey Cup. This is a bit of a Cinderella story of East success and must be very gratifying for Tom Higgins as a head coach and person. Yes, plenty of people to credit in association with the head coach but when you lose and are 1-7 you look at the head coach as the No. 1 reason and others are not discussed in detail. So now that the reverse has happened, well done Higgins, but it’s not over yet. In Hamilton, the Ticats scored on a turnover, short field, kick return, and two interceptions for touchdowns. And they took points off the board with an end zone interception. I know it’s a part of football and a skill in its own right but, again, two weeks in a row? Montreal. Edmonton Eskimos at Saskatchewan Roughriders It’s one thing not playing players to avoid risk when you have a bye week in between. With Edmonton already locked into playing the West semifinal at home, this game is dangerous in some respects. I think Chris Jones will give his starters some playing time, but only some. How long some is I dont know, but the Riders do have a chance to take advantage of a set of unique circumstances. If Darrian Durant is ready to play, wait for the playoffs. That’s all that matters in November. Roughriders. ' ' '