Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini are leading candidates to become the next great NHL captains as 10 teams enter the 2026-27 season without leadership [1].
These vacancies create a pivotal moment for the league to elevate young superstars into formal leadership roles. The transition signals a shift in the NHL's power structure as a new generation of elite talent takes over the locker room.
Bedard, playing for the Chicago Blackhawks, and Celebrini, with the San Jose Sharks, are the primary focus of analysts predicting the next wave of captains [1, 3]. Both players have demonstrated the skill sets necessary to lead a franchise, though they bring different profiles to the table.
Celebrini has gained significant momentum following a breakout season where he recorded 115 points [2]. This offensive surge has positioned him not only as a leadership candidate, but as a potential benchmark for the league's top players.
Bryan Hayes said, "Celebrini is better than Bedard and could top McDavid" [2].
The search for captains is widespread across the league. There are currently 10 teams that will start the upcoming 2026-27 season without a designated captain [1]. While several players may be considered for these roles, the combination of talent and trajectory makes Bedard and Celebrini the most prominent names in the discussion [1, 3].
The decision to award a captaincy to a young player is often a strategic move by a franchise to build a long-term identity around a single star. For the Blackhawks and Sharks, these designations would solidify the players' roles as the faces of their respective organizations.
“Ten teams enter the 2026-27 season without captains.”
The vacancy of captaincies across 10 NHL teams suggests a league-wide transition period. By elevating players like Bedard and Celebrini, franchises are moving away from traditional veteran-led hierarchies in favor of 'franchise-player' leadership, where the team's best talent is also its primary voice.
