Jonathan Hayward
Don Cherry says it's time for a new captain in Vancouver.
The popular hockey commentator criticized the Vancouver Canucks' use of goaltender Roberto Luongo as team captain on Tuesday's edition of CBC's "Coach's Corner."
He called the decision a "dumb move" and said goalies already have enough pressure on them without having to deal with leading a team.
"I know next year, he should ask not to be the captain," Cherry said.
Cherry said Luongo's captaincy wasn't necessarily the reason the Canucks are down 2-1 in their Western Conference series with the Los Angeles Kings, but he pointed out that benching the captain could have a demoralizing effect on the rest of the team.
Luongo allowed four goals in Vancouver's 5-3 loss to the Kings on Monday and was pulled in favour of backup goalie Andrew Raycroft.
"You see your best guy pulled and your captain sitting," Cherry said. "You think that isn't (depressing)?"
Cherry also said that the importance of the 'C' in the NHL has diminished since players stopped voting for their captains.