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Sens’ MacLean won’t put timetable on captain selection process

Paul MacLean

Ottawa Senators coach Paul MacLean talks to reporters during a news conference in Ottawa, Thursday, May 23, 2013. The Senators trail the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1 in the best-of-seven games series in the Eastern Conference semifinals NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Fred Chartrand)

AP

With Daniel Alfredsson gone and training camp approaching, Ottawa Senators fans are waiting to see who their next captain will be and when will that player officially get the ‘C.’

Senators coach Paul MacLean has returned to Ottawa and recently spoke at the Bell Sensplex. That issue naturally came up, but he didn’t want to commit to having a captain selected by a certain date.

“I’ve got to spend some time talking to the individuals, talking to Bryan Murray, talking to my coaching staff,” MacLean said, courtesy of the Senators’ official website’s transcript. “We’ve done a lot of preliminary talk about it, but we’re going to let the process — it’s going to be a process but I don’t think it’s going to be a difficult one — and we just have to take the time and get through it.”

MacLean also stressed that regardless of who’s picked, he expects to see everyone provide leadership. He also didn’t specify who the main candidates are, although Jason Spezza figures to be among the favorites.

Alfredsson’s tenure as the team’s captain started in 1999 and lasted until he signed with the Detroit Red Wings over the summer. Before him, none of the Senators’ captains maintained the position for more than a few years.