NEW YORK -- With Brian Gionta gone the Montreal Canadiens need a new captain -- and there is no shortage of candidates. A pair of 25-year-old stars, 2013 Norris Trophy-winning defenceman P.K. Subban and U.S. Olympic forward Max Pacioretty, each said theyd love to wear the "C" beginning this season. Veteran defenceman Andrei Markov and veteran centre Tomas Plekanec are also considered among the top possibilities. Subban, one of the faces of the franchise along with goaltender Carey Price, recently signed a US$72-million, eight-year contract after going to arbitration as a restricted free agent. At the NHL/NHLPA player media tour Tuesday, he made a case for why he should be the captain. "I think that Id embrace it," Subban said. "Added responsibility to me makes a player better, and I think Ive accomplished a lot in a short time in this league and Ive earned the respect of my peers and my opponents to command the respect that a captain deserves. I really believe that Ive earned a lot of respect in this league, both on and off the ice." In addition to the Norris during the lockout-shortened season, Subban has now played 284 NHL games and won a gold medal at the Sochi Olympics as Team Canadas eighth defenceman. He added that he sees a captain as someone whos "able to perform on the ice and bring it for their teammates in ... the toughest moments." Pacioretty similarly jumped at the notion of succeeding Gionta as captain. "I think anyone who wants to be a leader on their team would want to be a captain of a team, especially with a franchise with such history like that," said Pacioretty, who added that hed be completely on board if the team went in another direction. During an EA Sports demo event last week in Toronto, the NHL15 video game had the "C" on Paciorettys chest. "I was joking around I think someone at EA Sports deserves a promotion for doing that," Pacioretty said with a smile. "I didnt know about that before. But its cool." Asked at the player media tour in New York who he thought should be captain if it wasnt him, Pacioretty stumped for Markov, the Russian defenceman who is going into his 14th season in Montreal and is signed for three more years. "Hes a guy that leads by example, and hes been around Montreal for a while," Pacioretty said. "Behind closed doors hes one of the hardest workers Ive seen and I think that goes a long way, especially with some of the young guys, as well." Gionta had been captain since the start of the 2010-11 season, replacing the longest-serving player in that job, Saku Koivu. Koivu, the captain from 1999 through 2009, announced his retirement Wednesday after an 18-year NHL career. "I feel I was truly lucky to have a chance to play for the legendary Canadiens for so many years and serve as captain, and share that great honour with many truly legendary captains from before my time," Koivu said in a statement. Gionta, who left in free agency to sign a US$12.75-million, three-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres, pointed to Plekanec, fourth-liner Travis Moen and Price as big voices in the locker room. "Those are the guys that are kind of going to bridge that gap to the younger core thats coming up now," Gionta said. The Habs could feature an entirely new leadership group, as alternate captain Josh Gorges was traded to the Sabres. Markov wore the other "A" last season. Montreal is one of seven teams without a captain going into training camp, along with the Ottawa Senators, Sabres, New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks, Florida Panthers and Columbus Blue Jackets. A year after Daniel Alfredsson left Ottawa for Detroit, the Senators will have their second captain in two seasons after trading Jason Spezza to the Dallas Stars. Defenceman Erik Karlsson reiterated Tuesday hed gladly accept that honour and figures to be in the discussion along with Chris Phillips and Chris Neil. Karlsson lived with Alfredsson, who was captain from 1999 through 2013, but said he doesnt think hell mimic his friends style. "I will never be the same leader as Alfie was," Karlsson said. "He had his own way and Jason Spezza had his own way and Chris Neil and Chris Phillips and all the other guys have their own ways, as well. Everybodys a little bit different. But I think just being around such a good group of guys, hopefully that can help me develop as a player and as a person and as a leader for the better." Buffalo went with co-captains to start the 2013-14 season and subsequently traded Thomas Vanek and Steve Ott. Gionta said there has been no talk of assuming that role with the Sabres. "You dont go to a place with the expectation or the hope that something like thats going to happen," Gionta said. "You go in, you try to integrate yourself with the players that are there and try to learn from them whats going on." New York made it to the Stanley Cup final without a captain after trading Ryan Callahan to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Rangers most senior alternate, Brad Richards, was bought out and signed with the Chicago Blackhawks, leaving defencemen Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi, Marc Staal and wingers Rick Nash and Martin St. Louis as the most likely replacements. Sharks coach Todd McLellan recently told San Jose reporters that Joe Thornton wouldnt be the captain and Patrick Marleau wouldnt be an alternate at least at the beginning of camp, calling it a "fresh slate" of leadership. Centre Logan Couture or forward Joe Pavelski figure to be in the hunt. Florida used a compliance buyout on captain Ed Jovanovski. The young Panthers, if they choose to name a replacement, could turn to defenceman Brian Campbell or hand the reins to one of the kids, like Jonathan Huberdeau or Nick Bjugstad. The Blue Jackets havent had a captain since trading Nash to New York in the summer of 2012. In no rush to sew a "C" on someones jersey, Columbus -- which rotated alternates between Brandon Dubinsky, Jack Johnson and others -- could go without yet again. Assuming the Habs go the traditional route, Subban hopes he gets the nod. After signing a face-of-the-franchise contract in early August, the Toronto native said he didnt want the coaching staff or teammates to view him differently and repeated that this week, captaincy or not. "I want people to see me as a player that competes hard, is respectful, thats trustworthy and thats a leader," Subban said. "Thats what I want people to see me for." Ricky Rubio Jersey . -- Two out of three aint bad. Karl Malone Jersey . -- Phil Mickelson came to the St. http://www.jazzauthentic.com/kids-jeff-hornacek-jazz-jersey/ . The Goldeyes (10-7) lost 4-1 to the Saltdogs (8-9) Sunday afternoon before 5,834 sizzling fans at Shaw Park. The loss drops Winnipegs record to 3-4 during this past weeks seven-game homestand. Adrian Dantley Jersey . -- Isaiah Pead took a stutter step forward, then raced to the left sideline and travelled 60 yards up the field before finally getting tripped up by a leg tackle. Derrick Favors Jersey . None of them was better than playing with LeBron James again.ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Felix Hernandez didnt get the win. His dominant performance put the Seattle Mariners in position for victory, though. Hernandez struck out a career-high 15 in seven innings before Endy Chavez keyed a five-run ninth with a tiebreaking RBI single, leading the Mariners to a 5-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. When asked what was working, Hernandez said "everything." "It was fun to go out there," he said. Rays manager Joe Maddon felt Hernandez was better than his perfect game against Tampa Bay on Aug. 15, 2012. "That changeup was a fastball until the last moment, then it became a changeup," Maddon said. "The man was outstanding." Ten of Hernandezs 12 swinging strikeouts came on changeups. James Jones had a two-run triple for the Mariners, who have won seven of eight. Hernandez had won his previous five starts, which was two away from tying the team record held by Jamie Moyer (2003) and Scott Bankhead (1989), but the Mariners were held scoreless until the ninth by Chris Archer and two relievers. King Felix scattered four hits. He remains winless at Tropicana Field, going 0-2 in four starts. "One of these days," Hernandez said with a smile. After Brad Miller hit a two-out triple and Willie Bloomquist walked against Grant Balfour (0-2), the left-handed hitting Chavez slapped a two-strike single to left for a 1-0 lead. Jones had his triple before Kyle Seager added a two-run double. "After watching that for about the last eight, nine years, its not lucky anymore," Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said of Chavezs hit. "I think its talent. Ive seen him do it time and time again." Yoervis Medina (3-1) threw a scoreless eighth for the win. Hernandez reached 1,800 career strikeouts when he struck out Evan Longoria to end the third. Hernandez struck out six through three innings, and 11 though five. This was the right-haanders 29th double-digit strikeout performance, which moved him past Mark Langston into sole possession of second place on the Mariners career list.dddddddddddd Archer gave up five hits over 6 1-3 scoreless innings. He is just 1-1 over his last five starts despite allowing just three runs in 31 innings. "The young man is pretty special," said McClendon about Archer. "Thats what you call a game for the purist." Tampa Bay has lost 12 of 13. The Mariners loaded the bases with one out in the fifth, but failed to score. Archer got a forceout at the plate after making a stumbling grab on Jones comebacker before left fielder Matt Joyce made a one-handed at the wall on Robinson Canos opposite-field drive. Cano extended his road hitting streak to 17 games with a one-out infield single in the eighth. NOTES: Maddon on Balfours status as the ninth-inning man: "Hes our closer as of today. Even if I was going to change anything, I wouldnt tell you guys." ... After Mondays game at Tampa Bay, the Mariners return home Tuesday night to open a three-game series with a terrific pitching matchup. RHP Hisashi Iwakuma (4-2, 2.66 ERA) and Yankees RHP Masahiro Tanaka (9-1, 2.02 ERA), former teammates with Rakuten of Japans Pacific League, are the scheduled starters. "Thats a match up that I would pay to see," McClendon said. "I think it will be a dandy." ... Rays RHP Jeremy Hellickson (elbow) felt fine one day after his first rehab start Saturday with Single-A Charlotte. He expects to be back before the All-Star break. ... Mariners OF Michael Saunders (sore right shoulder) and 1B Justin Smoak (sore left leg) were both out of the lineup for the second straight game. Smoak entered in the ninth as defensive replacement, while Saunders could return in the next few days. ... Seattle LHP Erasmo Ramirez (1-4) is scheduled to go against Rays LHP David Price (4-5) in Mondays series finale. 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