LATEST | Journalist breaks a new story: Makes a strong case for the team's next captain

‘' It was the same story during an edgy Feb. 14 practice where Tocchet was looking or an increased pace and battle level in a mini 2-on-2 scrimmage. He wasn't expecting how Hughes would step up.

Hughes got his back up in a brief but testy shoving match with hulking winger Dakota Joshua to end the practice on a fitting note.

«I'm a leader now (alternate captain) and I want everybody to get better,» said Hughes. «I need him (Joshua) to be the best he can be. And I need to push myself and other guys. We're not getting enough and that's why we're not in the playoffs.»

Said Joshua: «He's making sure everybody is pulling on the rope and I loved seeing him get fired up like that. We could use more of that every day around here.»

‘' To be a captain is an extraordinary honour,» said Hughes. «It's really special, but to be honest, it's not my main focus. Getting an ‘A' (alternate) wasn't my main focus either, and when they told me after the (All-Star Game) break that I was getting one, I was happy.

«I have a lot of things on my mind. I want to be in the playoffs and keep taking my game to another level. They don't need to do it (captaincy) soon. If they give it a year or two year, or whenever they decide to do it, I don't think anybody feels pressure in here, or that they need to do something.»