As we reach Episode 4, in case we didn’t know already, we now understand what it truly means to win in the NHL. Today, we at Last Word On Hockey bring you yet another of the Prime Video television series “Faceoff.” We will chronicle the experiences of three NHL captains. Those players being Quinn Hughes, Jacob Trouba, and Gabriel Landeskog. Therefore, let’s give you the low down on what it takes to be the captain of an NHL franchise. This is Episode 4, The Captains.
The Faceoff Series, Season 1, Episode 4: The Captains
Don’t get too high or too low, this is a performance-based industry, and you’re responsible for seeing it all through. Easy right? When you got 18 guys flying on frozen water, fueled by the will win at all costs, and doing so on quarter-inch steel blades trying to pile drive you into next week? Now, we are beginning to set the picture of what it is like to be a captain in the fast and ferocious world of ice hockey. For those that thrive under pressure, seemingly never getting tired, it’s about the focus needed to execute when the game is on the line. These are the guys you want out there when there’s only seconds remaining on the clock. Either trying to secure the crucial two points or somehow find a glimmer of hope, and spark a comeback.
Being a captain in hockey, is a great distinction. It truly is an honour, to be the captain of 18 men, doing basically the same thing you’re doing. To lead by example, in everything you do, a way to conduct yourself that sets the standard. It’s not for the faint hearted. Yes, baseball or football may have captains, but wearing the big C on your sweater is unlike anything else in sports. For this episode we have Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks, Jacob Trouba of the New York Rangers, and Gabriel Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche.
Captain Canuck, Quinn Hughes
We jump in with Quinn as he drives to the rink. He goes over a ritual he goes through before every gameday, call his dad. And what do they talk? They talk hockey, of course.
Quinn Hughes was named captain of the Vancouver Canucks at the age of 24. It is hard to imagine, even for ex-players like Paul ‘Biz‘ Bissonnette, to be named captain at that age. In addition, Hughes is still building his resume as a leader. It’s not something that comes with instructions, you have to learn as you go, trial by fire. Moreover, he is a bit undersized, especially for a defenceman. However, he was able to help lead the Canucks to the postseason for the first time in three years.
Next, we jump into who Jackie Redmond refers to as the ‘ultimate captain.’ He is the soul of the Colorado Avalanche. To not have him for as long as they did, it was just devastating for the team, not to mention the player himself.
Of course we are talking about Gabriel Landeskog. He describes the surreal feeling of being named captain. When you are playing with guys that have been in the league for 10 to 15 years, and now, you’re the captain. Being captain and the situation in Colorado, it has been a challenge in every facet imaginable. In case you aren’t sure what happened, Landeskog hadn’t played since the Stanley Cup victory, in June of 2022.
Earlier in that year, he got sliced by a skate from teammate Cale Makar and damaged his quad muscle. Landeskog elected to play through the injury that year, but it would cause damage. It took a very long rehab process before being able to return. He only did manage to return in April 2025, for the playoff series between the Avs and the Dallas Stars. In the meantime, people believe his absence was a cause of the Avs subsequent early playoff exits.
Leading by Example Through the Big City Life
“Everyone kind of knows what’s up.” Back to Quinn Hughes, as he describes the challenge of being a captain of a Canadian team. It reminded us of how William Nylander described playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs in episode one. This is our segue to the introduction of New York Rangers captain, Jacob Trouba. Trouba knows he doesn’t lead the same way that Hughes does. Trouba knows he has to do with shot blocking, sacrificing his body, and delivering bone-jarring, punishing open-ice hits. Choo-choo, the Trouba Train coming through.
With Trouba’s unwavering style of play, he had taken New York City by storm. The energy that the fans in New York bring is a different beast. We are reminded that it isn’t about winning or losing. Being a captain is about leading your guys through the fight, being what the people want to see, every night. Trouba has embraced the life. Trouba has been able to adjust his game to be what the Rangers need and that makes him a great captain.
We get to visit Trouba off the ice. He explains how being a father is lifelong duty. You need to leave it at the rink, come home to your family, and then, that’s your focus, your family.
As we journey through the Rangers on-ice trials, they defeat the Ottawa Senators 4-0, in order to capture the prestigious Presidents’ Trophy. This is the title awarded annually for the team with the best regular season record. Needless to say, expectations were high. In the first round of the playoffs, the Rangers handed the Washington Capitals a quick exit, with a four-game sweep. It may have been expected based on the standings, but the Rangers had played with a chip on their shoulders.
Landeskog, the Injury and Life with the Hockey
The hardest part of the injury, was not being in the battle with the guys. Gabriel looked at the other side of life, fortunately. For him, now he gets to spend time with his kids. He was able to be with them as they grew up, and he knows that was a privilege. It was one upside of having to go through such a lengthy and demanding injury-rehab process.
Nathan MacKinnon describes Gabriel as a big voice in the dressing room. When he talks, they listen. For people around the game and the Avalanche, it seems like Gabriel was a piece that the roster was missing. It had forced people out of their comfort zone. The Avs truly were a team not knowing who or when to speak up. In the show, they were talking about if the playoffs went long enough, was it possible that Gabriel could return? As we mentioned in the spring of 2025, he did, but it still wasn’t enough at that time. Colorado lost out to Dallas in the second round of the 2024 playoffs and to the Seattle Kraken in the first round of 2023.
Bringing It All Together
We may recall from Episode 2, that Vancouver ends up beating Filip Forsberg‘s Nashville Predators in a first-round playoff series. Moreover, at one point, Hughes and J.T. Miller are talking about a play. You can feel the emotion that goes into it even on a simple play that happens at the blueline. As we write this today, in the fall of 2025, Miller is now the captain of New York, oddly enough.
Quinn Hughes is lucky. With his brothers Jack Hughes and Luke Hughes playing in the NHL, it is a unique situation. Being able to get their opinions on things, can help each of them through adversity. Quinn explains he doesn’t think he could be an NHL captain without their unwavering support. One random stat, that shows about being a captain and playing for your team when it matters the most, Jack Hughes holds the distinction of the longest shift to end a game, over six minutes…
As we mentioned earlier, Quinn says one goal is to not get too high or too low. The goal above all else, is performing. As we check in on game action, the announcer says it seemed like Quinn didn’t come off the ice in the third period. In their playoff series, they would battle to be within one shot as the game wound down. However, it wasn’t to be, and they lost 3-2 in Game 7 to the Edmonton Oilers. For Hughes and his teammates, it was important, that despite the loss, they still give their fans the stick salute for a season well done. In any loss, you just hope that the valuable lessons are learned.
Understanding What It Is All About
As the episode winds down, we are taken to the Avs press conference. It was a lighter moment. There was much angst heading into the press conference of what might be announced. The public relations guy jokes, that Gabriel is not retiring. Jokingly, he adds that he would’ve wore something nicer than a workout t-shirt. We now know he did return, but there was much uncertainty concerning his status, for a long time.
So, there you have it, The Captains. Leading by example, whether that is by energy and scoring or physical play and sacrificing your body, or being the voice in the locker room. Each of Hughes, Trouba, and Landeskog have their own, unique style of being a terrific NHL captain. However, they all show the commitment it takes. It’s no easy task, and fans are so lucky to watch them on a nightly basis.
Main Photo Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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