NY Islanders legend Bryan Trottier had a surprising take on Schaefer captaincy debate

New York Islanders legend Bryan Trottier believes Matthew Schaefer is ready to wear a letter, but the franchise's history suggests there may be no need to rush the decision.

Schaefer's leadership has been impossible to ignore since arriving on Long Island. After a historic rookie season, the conversation has already shifted from whether he'll become the face of the Isles to whether he could someday wear the captain's "C."

Trottier believes Schaefer could handle that responsibility today.

"He's a young leader," Trottier told NHL.com. "I'm sure he would embrace the opportunity to wear a letter. I don't think that would affect his game much as far as how he plays. I think he has that team attitude that you need to have whether he wears a letter or not."

Coming from one of the greatest leaders in franchise history, that's significant praise.

Trottier knows firsthand that the captaincy doesn't have to come immediately.

As he developed into a superstar during the Islanders' rise in the late 1970s, veteran Ed Westfall remained captain before relinquishing the role in 1977 to Clark Gillies. Gillies, another cornerstone of the franchise, later passed the captaincy to Denis Potvin, who would wear the "C" throughout the Islanders' dynasty years and remain captain through the 1986-87 season.

Trottier never needed the captaincy to become one of the NHL's premier leaders. Instead, the Islanders allowed leadership to evolve naturally as their young core matured.

That perspective is reflected in how Trottier views Schaefer today. "A captain's role (is not) to give direction," Trottier said. "He plays his game and leads by example. He's got a voice but that's why you have coaches. He's just a terrific kid."

Whether he wears a letter next season or years down the road, his impact on the Islanders won't be determined by what is stitched onto his jersey. According to Trottier, the qualities that make a captain are already there. Whether the organization decides to make it official now or later may simply be a matter of timing, not readiness.

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