It'll be Little Joe, if true.

The expectation surrounding the organization is that Joe Pavelski will fill the San Jose Sharks' vacant captaincy before the end of the season, according to Sportsnet's Damien Cox.

Of course, it was (Jumbo) Joe Thornton who was stripped of the captaincy this summer shortly after the Sharks blew a 3-0 series lead to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings.

Pavelski leads the Sharks with 12 goals this season, and has chipped in with 11 helpers in 29 starts.