No surprise: Flyers name Richards Captain

In a move that was obvious to anyone who follows the Flyers, Mike Richards was named the new team captain today. Despite having just 3 years of experience in the NHL, Richards has shown tremendous leadership qualities and always plays hard. Since he made his debut with the Flyers, it has more been a question of "when" he would be captain, not "if". Expect Richards to be the Flyers captain for a number of years considering his contract doesn't run out until 2016.

The Flyers also named Simon Gagne and Kimmo Timonen as the alternate captains. Timonen was probably the only other player considered for the captaincy and could have been given the role if Richards wasn't deemed ready. The Flyers captain last season was Jason Smith, who signed with the Ottawa Senators this offseason.