Columbus Blue Jackets, two other NHL teams opt not to name captains

The Columbus Blue Jackets, alongside the Vancouver Canucks and Detroit Red Wings, will not designate a captain for the 2026-27 NHL season. Instead, the Blue Jackets will utilize a group of alternate captains, with only Zach Werenski wearing an alternate 'A' for the entire season. The decision comes amid trade speculation surrounding key players, including Werenski and center Dylan Larkin, who remains without a captaincy after requesting a trade this summer. Both the Canucks and Red Wings have also chosen to forgo naming a captain, with Canucks' coach Manny Malhotra stating he prefers to allow leadership roles to emerge naturally during the season.

• 12:22 AMYahoo Sports — Columbus Blue Jackets 1 of 3 NHL teams not designating a captain