Is Drury the ultimate captain?
Since the end of the regular season there has been one question on most people’s mind. That being how much will Chris Drury get to stay with the team. To me that is not the big question on hand. To me is Chris Drury a vocal enough leader to get the Sabres to the promise land.
The problem with Drury is that he is not a vocal leader. A guy that will stand up in the lockerroom, and voice his opinion. Many times over Drury’s teammates have said that he leads by example.
Well that is all good for preparation for a game, but it is not enough during the game. One thing that I personally learned from experience is that when the chips are down someone has to speakup to rally the troops.
Most athletes view speeches, and verbal rippings as learning tools. Most of the time the one speech that gets everyone attention is usually one tht comes from another athlete.
I say this with conviction. If there was a vocal leader on that team the Sabres right now would problably be playing for the cup. You can tell that there was not one. After the first period in game three a true leader would stepup and tell his teammates to get their heads out of thier ass, but they never did and you know the rest.
Do not get me wrong they need Drury. Also, they already have a vocal leader in Ryan Miller. He is blunt and to the point, and that is what a team leader does. I think Miller was not vocal this past season, because of Drury, Briere, and Numminen.
However, it is Miller time just like on his face mask. He has proven that he deserves a spot in leadership role on the team. He was their most consistent player. If that does not ear some respect I do not know what will.