Gabriel Landeskog
Speaking of leadership, left wing Gabriel Landeskog is the captain. A captain takes heat when the team is doing poorly. A captain might also expect more pressure when the team is doing well.
After all, Landeskog is a second-overall pick. And you do expect a lot from any top-five pick who also happens to be the captain.
What’s more, by his own admission, Landeskog is streaky when it comes to scoring goals. He hasn’t had one in seven games — in the calendar year 2018, actually. However, he does have three points in that span — you almost have to when you’re on MacKinnon’s line. Indeed, the above-mentioned Kerfoot has even earned assists just by playing with MacKinnon in an overlapping shift.
That said, Landeskog has certainly been playing well. He’s currently on-pace to earn 64 points, which is close to his 65-point 2013-14 season. And his leadership is evident — the charismatic young captain is absolutely part of the reason the chemistry is working in the locker room.