Kevin Dupont

Our NHL Expert, Hockey of Hall of Fame honoree Kevin Dupont of the Boston Globe is here to answer your questions. Since the Stanley Cup will be handed out before you know it, let’s quickly move to the first question and get started. And if you have a question, please submit one at the bottom.

Q: With the Penguins struggling (again) and Mario Lemieux retiring, what's the best thing they can do for Sidney Crosby's development?  Is it only a matter of time before they name him captain, or is he one of those players likely better off never having to focus on wearing the C?
— George from Billings, Mont.
A: The best thing the Pens can do for Crosby is exactly what they're doing, handing him a veteran's workload, although the rookie's life would have been immeasurably easier if Lemieux hadn't exited the lineup in mid-December.

Once Mario Magnifique was forced to the sideline, because of an irregular heartbeat, it stood to reason that Crosby's production would fall off, at least a little. To his credit, Crosby has remained a constant factor, but he is unquestionably feeling more heat defensively without No. 66 out there to draw the attention of opposing checkers.

Consider: Crosby came roaring out of the gate, as advertised, and picked up six points in his first four NHL games. Well, in the five games Jan. 10-16, the fourth straight week the Pens were sans Lemieux, the crafty Crosby collected only one goal and two assists.

No doubt some of that is a touch of midseason fatigue, typical of most rookies, especially so for freshmen on struggling squads. But some, too, can be attributed to the owner/icon/franchise center remaining out of the lineup.

So, what can Pittsburgh do for Sid the Kid? The ideal would have been to get Lemieux healthy and productive. Because he's retiring, that's not an option.

It also would be in Crosby's best interest, along with all the Flightless Birds, to keep him out there with the club's most energized, talented forwards. Seems obvious, yes?  Well, in the NHL, the obvious isn't always the shortest distance between two points.  But by my eye, Crosby should be out there with the likes of newcomer Michel Ouellet. Let skill play with skill.

Ouellet, the No. 124 pick in the 2000 entry draft, dropped into the lineup as a regular when Lemieux left. He scored 11 goals and 17 points in the 14 games during the first month of Lemieux's absence.  I'm not sure if he is a short-term or long-term fit with Crosby, but he's obviously got some touch, and some sense around the net.

Crosby can make a lot of people look good, especially a linemate who has the courage, instinct and skill to get to the front of the net.

As for a Crosby captaincy, it's not out of the question. He has handled himself with dignity and poise this season, just as he did during the couple of years leading up to his 2005 draft. He has enough game, intelligence and on-ice leadership quality that mike him a prime candidate to wear the C.

However, here's my feeling on captains: If they're younger than 24, or if they have played fewer than five seasons in the league, they shouldn't be considered for the job. Check back with me at the end of 2009-2010 and I'll let you know my decision on Crosby. From what I've seen, I think he will be a great fit. But for now, the only C he should be considered for is Candidate.

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Two names come to mind here: Vincent LeCavalier and Joe Thornton. In both cases, due to their clubs' need to have a franchise face on the product, they were forced prematurely into the captain's role. LeCavalier no longer holds the job in Tampa Bay, and I think both parties are much better for it. Thornton, though well liked by his teammates in the years he wore the C in Boston, was ill-suited to the work. He has played the best hockey of his career in the weeks he has been with San Jose, and I have to believe part of the reason is that he doesn't have that C wearing heavy on his shoulder.

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