Should Bowen Byram wear an "A" next season?

After trading away their entire leadership group at the trade deadline, the leadership responsibilities fall onto the new, young core. A few players have emerged as candidates for the next leaders of the Chicago Blackhawks.

It is anticipated that the soon-to-be 21-year-old Connor Bedard will be the next captain of the Blackhawks. It's not guaranteed, but it seems very likely, and Bedard wants it.
"We got a lot of good leaders. So it'll be easy, but hopefully I get it."

Assuming Bedard does get the captaincy, that still leaves the alternate captains. To end last season, Connor Bedard and Tyler Bertuzzi wore the "A". In my opinion, three players should be seriously considered for that role.

Alex Vlasic

Alex Vlasic was the "veteran" of the defense group to end last season, despite being only 24 at the time. The Wilmette, Illinois, native played top-pair minutes and on the first-unit penalty kill and was consistently matched up against the league's best.

While Vlasic did hold his own, he isn't an ideal top-pair defenseman. With slightly reduced responsibility next season, along with being put in more suitable situations, Vlasic should be able to thrive as a shutdown defenseman.

Vlasic is the longest-tenured Blackhawk and a guy who is looked at for guidance by the young defensemen. However, his on-ice doesn't exactly scream "leader". His reluctance to use his body and stick up for teammates was noticeable last season. To be fair, Vlasic was not the only player you can say that about.

Tyler Bertuzzi

Tyler Bertuzzi is a solid NHL veteran who can still produce and be a secondary or tertiary scoring option. Bertuzzi scored a career-high 32 goals last season and was the Blackhawks' most consistent producer outside Connor Bedard.

In my opinion, Bertuzzi should absolutely be in a leadership role next season and potentially for the remainder of his contract, which expires in 2028.

Bowen Byram

Should Bowen Byram be an alternate captain? I have asked this question of a handful of people, and the answers were mixed. While he is new to the team, there is certainly a case to be made

Believe it or not, Byram is eight days younger than Vlasic, yet he has almost a career's worth of experience. Byram has played 328 regular-season games and an additional 40 playoff games. Oh, and a Stanley Cup.

While Byram has never been a true number one defenseman in his young NHL career, he has played a vital role not only in Colorado's 2022 Stanley Cup victory, but he was also second among skaters in time on ice per game, only behind Rasmus Dahlin in the Buffalo Sabres' playoff run this year.

Honourable mention: Wyatt Kaiser

Wyatt Kaiser is a sneaky candidate. Kaiser is only 23 years old, but he is mature far beyond his years. If you listen to him talk to the media, he is calm, well-spoken, and bright.

Kaiser has spent a lot of time paired with Artyom Levshunov throughout the last season and parts of the 2024-2025 season. Levshunov has had a rough time adjusting to the NHL game, but Kaiser has been a rock for him.

What impresses me most about Kaiser is that you can hear him communicate with his teammates. "Arty go", "Arty get ready", "Skate Arty" are a few of the things you'll hear from Kaiser during a game. Kaiser's ability to communicate and assist young defensemen makes him an interesting candidate for alternate captain.

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