Many believe the Sabres will name veteran Brian Gionta captain. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Ted Nolan ‘pretty close’ to naming new Sabres captain

BUFFALO – The Sabres will likely name a new captain Tuesday, coach Ted Nolan said this afternoon.

“We’re pretty close,” Nolan said inside the First Niagara Center.

Nolan said he and his staff have been discussing the captaincy “from the get-go.”

“The one thing I asked our coaches to do is kind of do a daily log on who they felt is the proper leadership with this group,” he said. “They’ve been doing that on a daily basis, see how they interact with people, see how they communicate with people, see what kind of leadership skills they have.”

Nolan said the Sabres will have a single captain and two alternates. He believes there are “a lot of leaders on this team.” Three or four players could be captains. Six or seven could be alternates.

“To tell you the truth, a letter on a shirt is just a symbol,” he said.

He added: “You got to make decisions. Unfortunately, you be can’t too nice in your approach.”

The Sabres open the season Thursday against Columbus.

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