NEW YORK -- With Brian Gionta gone the Montreal Canadiens need a new captain -- and there is no shortage of candidates. Marcus Davenport Womens Jersey . A pair of 25-year-old stars, 2013 Norris Trophy-winning defenceman P.K. Subban and U.S. Olympic forward Max Pacioretty, each said theyd love to wear the "C" beginning this season. Veteran defenceman Andrei Markov and veteran centre Tomas Plekanec are also considered among the top possibilities. Subban, one of the faces of the franchise along with goaltender Carey Price, recently signed a US$72-million, eight-year contract after going to arbitration as a restricted free agent. At the NHL/NHLPA player media tour Tuesday, he made a case for why he should be the captain. "I think that Id embrace it," Subban said. "Added responsibility to me makes a player better, and I think Ive accomplished a lot in a short time in this league and Ive earned the respect of my peers and my opponents to command the respect that a captain deserves. I really believe that Ive earned a lot of respect in this league, both on and off the ice." In addition to the Norris during the lockout-shortened season, Subban has now played 284 NHL games and won a gold medal at the Sochi Olympics as Team Canadas eighth defenceman. He added that he sees a captain as someone whos "able to perform on the ice and bring it for their teammates in ... the toughest moments." Pacioretty similarly jumped at the notion of succeeding Gionta as captain. "I think anyone who wants to be a leader on their team would want to be a captain of a team, especially with a franchise with such history like that," said Pacioretty, who added that hed be completely on board if the team went in another direction. During an EA Sports demo event last week in Toronto, the NHL15 video game had the "C" on Paciorettys chest. "I was joking around I think someone at EA Sports deserves a promotion for doing that," Pacioretty said with a smile. "I didnt know about that before. But its cool." Asked at the player media tour in New York who he thought should be captain if it wasnt him, Pacioretty stumped for Markov, the Russian defenceman who is going into his 14th season in Montreal and is signed for three more years. "Hes a guy that leads by example, and hes been around Montreal for a while," Pacioretty said. "Behind closed doors hes one of the hardest workers Ive seen and I think that goes a long way, especially with some of the young guys, as well." Gionta had been captain since the start of the 2010-11 season, replacing the longest-serving player in that job, Saku Koivu. Koivu, the captain from 1999 through 2009, announced his retirement Wednesday after an 18-year NHL career. "I feel I was truly lucky to have a chance to play for the legendary Canadiens for so many years and serve as captain, and share that great honour with many truly legendary captains from before my time," Koivu said in a statement. Gionta, who left in free agency to sign a US$12.75-million, three-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres, pointed to Plekanec, fourth-liner Travis Moen and Price as big voices in the locker room. "Those are the guys that are kind of going to bridge that gap to the younger core thats coming up now," Gionta said. The Habs could feature an entirely new leadership group, as alternate captain Josh Gorges was traded to the Sabres. Markov wore the other "A" last season. Montreal is one of seven teams without a captain going into training camp, along with the Ottawa Senators, Sabres, New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks, Florida Panthers and Columbus Blue Jackets. A year after Daniel Alfredsson left Ottawa for Detroit, the Senators will have their second captain in two seasons after trading Jason Spezza to the Dallas Stars. Defenceman Erik Karlsson reiterated Tuesday hed gladly accept that honour and figures to be in the discussion along with Chris Phillips and Chris Neil. Karlsson lived with Alfredsson, who was captain from 1999 through 2013, but said he doesnt think hell mimic his friends style. "I will never be the same leader as Alfie was," Karlsson said. "He had his own way and Jason Spezza had his own way and Chris Neil and Chris Phillips and all the other guys have their own ways, as well. Everybodys a little bit different. But I think just being around such a good group of guys, hopefully that can help me develop as a player and as a person and as a leader for the better." Buffalo went with co-captains to start the 2013-14 season and subsequently traded Thomas Vanek and Steve Ott. Gionta said there has been no talk of assuming that role with the Sabres. "You dont go to a place with the expectation or the hope that something like thats going to happen," Gionta said. "You go in, you try to integrate yourself with the players that are there and try to learn from them whats going on." New York made it to the Stanley Cup final without a captain after trading Ryan Callahan to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Rangers most senior alternate, Brad Richards, was bought out and signed with the Chicago Blackhawks, leaving defencemen Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi, Marc Staal and wingers Rick Nash and Martin St. Louis as the most likely replacements. Sharks coach Todd McLellan recently told San Jose reporters that Joe Thornton wouldnt be the captain and Patrick Marleau wouldnt be an alternate at least at the beginning of camp, calling it a "fresh slate" of leadership. Centre Logan Couture or forward Joe Pavelski figure to be in the hunt. Florida used a compliance buyout on captain Ed Jovanovski. The young Panthers, if they choose to name a replacement, could turn to defenceman Brian Campbell or hand the reins to one of the kids, like Jonathan Huberdeau or Nick Bjugstad. The Blue Jackets havent had a captain since trading Nash to New York in the summer of 2012. In no rush to sew a "C" on someones jersey, Columbus -- which rotated alternates between Brandon Dubinsky, Jack Johnson and others -- could go without yet again. Assuming the Habs go the traditional route, Subban hopes he gets the nod. After signing a face-of-the-franchise contract in early August, the Toronto native said he didnt want the coaching staff or teammates to view him differently and repeated that this week, captaincy or not. "I want people to see me as a player that competes hard, is respectful, thats trustworthy and thats a leader," Subban said. "Thats what I want people to see me for." Wil Lutz Saints Jersey .B. -- Canadas Rachel Homan opened the Ford Womens World Curling Championship with a 7-5 win over Russia on Saturday. Marcus Davenport Youth Jersey . -- Canadas Nicole Vandermade won the Four Winds Invitational on Sunday for her first Symetra Tour title, closing with a 4-under 68 for a one-stroke victory. http://www.authenticsaintssportsonline.com/saints-rickey-jackson-gold-jersey/ . -- During a players meeting following the All-Star break, Jermaine ONeal promised his teammates to play the rest of the regular season like he would never play again -- because he very well might not.GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Skip the rest of the preseason. The Green Bay Packers offence seems ready for some real games. With a stable of running backs now complementing quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Packers could be as potent as ever this year. Rodgers threw for two touchdowns, Eddie Lacy rumbled for a 1-yard score on the Packers opening drive and prized free agent acquisition Julius Peppers recorded his first sack of the preseason in the Packers 31-21 victory Friday night over the Oakland Raiders. "I think were ready. I think its been a good preseason. Scored some points, moved the ball," Rodgers said. "We have 13 days until the game." That would refer to the season opener Sept. 4 in Seattle against the Super Bowl champion Seahawks. The Raiders host Seattle next week to wrap up the preseason with a few defensive injuries. The game was stopped for several minutes in the second quarter after Raiders linebacker Sio Moore was taken off the field, and coach Dennis Allen said "the initial word is really mostly a neck strain." Moore lifted a thumb to acknowledge a crowd that gave him a standing ovation while he was taken off on a stretcher. He had tests at a hospital before returning to Lambeau Field. "I dont know what kind of timeline that means, but obviously the most encouraging thing is that Sios fine," Allen said. Oakland also lost two other defensive starters to head injuries in cornerback Tarell Brown and linebacker Nick Roach. A first-team defence that allowed three touchdown drives in four possessions in the first two preseason games had its ups and down against Rodgers, who finished 9 of 20 for 139 yards playing into the second quarter. The 2011 NFL MVPs completion rate would have been higher if not for a handful of drops. He connected on touchdowns to tight end Andrew Quarless and receiver Jordy Nelson. Lacy just played in the first series, but the 2013 Offensive Rookie of the Year had the Raiders on their heels. He finished with six rushes for 36 yards and the touchdown. DuJuan Harris, third on the running back depth chart, added 56 yards on 12 carries, and added 42 yards on two catches. Ted Ginn Jr Saints Jersey. Last years backup running back, James Starks, had nine yards on seven carries. A Raiders defence that allowed an average of 89.5 yards over the first weeks allowed 78 in the first half. "Its a long season, so with three backs we should be able to stay fresh and be able to go fast the whole season," Lacy said. Houston quarterback Matt Schaub played into the third, finishing 13 of 27 for 110 yards for Oakland. Backup Matt McGloin threw for two fourth-quarter touchdowns to Brice Butler, from 19 and 28 yards. McGloin finished 10 of 17 for 162 yards. The game inched along by the middle of the third quarter with the Packers up by three scores and backups littering both lineups. The Raiders only touchdown came on their second series of the first half after a handful of missed tackles helped Maurice Jones-Drew dart 40 yards for a score to tie it at 7. The Packers first-team defence held Oakland scoreless from there. "Yeah, really our No. 1 defence, we had that big play we gave up. Other than that, I thought we dominated the line of scrimmage," coach Mike McCarthy said. Besides the sack, Peppers also stood up Raiders running back Darren McFadden in traffic for a short gain around left end. It was just the kind of big-play production McCarthy was hoping to get from Peppers when the Packers signed the former Chicago Bear as a free agent. Green Bay did lose defensive lineman B.J. Raji to an arm injury. He remained on the sideline for much of the game with a black sleeve on his arm, and McCarthy said Raji "felt confident" about the injury. The Raiders again struggled to produce under Schaub, who was signed as a free agent from the Houston Texans. Oakland had four straight three-and-outs at one point in the first half, then turned the ball over at the Packers 26 late in the second quarter after Schaub fumbled on a sack by Nick Perry. "We better be close to being ready for the regular season here shortly," Schaub said. "Got off to a good start ... and then you know, we sort of stubbed our toe a few times there, especially in the second quarter." ' ' '