Captain watch! I suppose that’s what we can call this offseason for the several NHL teams who have yet to name a captain for this upcoming hockey year. With Rick Nash, Brendan Morrow, Mark Streit, Shawn Horcoff, Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Pominville, Vinny Lecavalier and Jarome Iginla having all moved on to new teams recently (or somewhat recently), there’s eight teams in the NHL who don’t have anyone wearing the “C” right now.

So, let’s have a little fun and try to predict who’s going to be named captain for the octet of NHL squads who are currently leaderless, rudderless, and lost on the open seas of hockey (well…that might be overdoing it). So anyways, who’s going to be the new captain for the Sabres, Flames, Blue Jackets, Stars, Oilers, Islanders, Senators and Lightning?

Buffalo Sabres: Steve Ott, LW

-Alright, bit of a surprise off the bat. Well…not really, if you watched the Sabres last year. This is a young team that presumably plans on shipping out former franchise cornerstones like Ryan Miller and Thomas Vanek before this year’s trade deadline so they can start rebuilding. With those two gone, Ott becomes one of the most senior members of this team, and someone who is ready to lead. Last season, his first as a Sabre, Ott endeared himself to Buffalo fans with his tenacious, and often pugnacious style of play. He was an alternate captain in Dallas for years before he was traded in 2012. He’s a natural leader who plays hard at both ends of the ice, and would be the right guy to wear the “C” for a transitioning Buffalo squad.

Calgary Flames: No one.

-This was tough; after all, how exactly does Calgary find the right guy to captain the Flames now that Jarome Iginla has left? Iginla was everything you wanted in a captain- a great leader, a great mentor, and not to mention, a great scorer. With all that considered, he’s going to be a tough act to follow for anyone. Which, is why Calgary should perhaps let the captaincy remain vacant. This is going to be a team in transition, with the old (Iginla, G Miikka Kiprusoff) going out, and the new (Sean Monahan, Sven Baertschi, Karri Ramo) coming in to be the young foundation of a rebuilding team. Let the team sort itself out, let leaders emerge, then select a new captain when the time is right- which may be the best way to honor Jarome Iginla’s memory in the short-term for Calgary.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Jack Johnson, D

-After Rick Nash left, Columbus didn’t bother naming a captain for the lockout-shortened season. Heading into the 2013-14 season, it’d be a little ridiculous to go two years without a captain. There are definitely a few qualified candidates on the Blue Jackets’ roster- but Jack Johnson is probably the best choice. He’s a veteran of seven NHL seasons, but at 26, he’s also young enough to be a leader in the present and in the future for a Blue Jackets team that seems destined to make some noise in the coming years. Oh, and he’s also captained Team USA at the IIHF championships. He wore an “A” for Columbus last year, but he’d be a good option to wear the “C” in 2013.

Dallas Stars: Jamie Benn, LW

-This is a team that is going to rely heavily on young talent like Valeri Nichushkin, Tyler Seguin and Alex Chiasson in the coming years- so it’d be fitting for the Stars’ best young player from the past few seasons to be named captain. An All-Star in 2012, Benn has established himself as a top-notch power forward in Dallas, with scoring and playmaking talent to go along with leadership ability (he has served as an alternate captain in Dallas since 2012) and a penchant for delivering a hard check when needed. The Stars signed him to a five-year deal last season, showing their commitment to him as their franchise player. This Stars team has gotten much younger lately, and will be growing together in the upcoming seasons. With all that in mind, the 24-year-old Benn would be the perfect captain to lead Dallas into its new era.

Edmonton Oilers: Jordan Eberle, RW

Like their fellow Alberta team, the Flames, Edmonton will be looking to name a new captain this offseason. However, it’s fair to say that Shawn Horcoff will be a little easier to replace than Jarome Iginla. Of all the first-round talent Edmonton has acquired in the past few years, it will actually be their lowest pick in the past six years, Jordan Eberle, who is the best fit as captain. While he’s not a Steve Ott-type player, he’s someone who leads by quiet example. Eberle was nominated for the Lady Byng Trophy in 2012, and he’s led the Oilers in scoring in two of his three full seasons with Edmonton. He’s not going to fight anyone, but he’ll let his play speak for itself while also elevating his linemates.

New York Islanders: John Tavares, C

This one’s easy. He’s been the Islanders best player since joining the team in 2009, mere months removed from being the No. 1 overall pick in that year’s draft. In addition to leading the Islanders in scoring each of the past four seasons, he was nominated for the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP this past year, and he led New York to its first playoff berth since 2006-07. Even veteran goalie Evgeni Nabokov thinks the 22-year-old is ready to wear the C for the Islanders.

Ottawa Senators: Jason Spezza, C

For the first time in 14 years, the Senators won’t have Daniel Alfredsson as their captain. With him gone, the logical choice is Jason Spezza. He’s spent his entire 10-year NHL career with Ottawa, and has consistently been one of their best players since he joined the team.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Steven Stamkos, C

This was either going to be Stamkos, or Marty St. Louis. Both are deserving, but its better for Tampa Bay’s long-term future to name Stamkos captain now, rather than have St. Louis get the “C”, and then retire in a year or two. Stability is always good, and a team like the Lightning could sure use some of that. Stamkos has been the Lightning’s best goal-scorer the past several seasons, highlighted by a ridiculous 60-goal campaign back in 2011-12. Naming him captain would solidify his standing as Tampa Bay’s franchise player, and really give them a rock to build around for the next decade.