This 'C' switch happened a few weeks ago. Dawes was signed in the off season and has clearly been assigned a major position in the locker room. Which is understandable. But what is really interesting is the options for each player. Dawes is pretty much done with the NHL but I don't think Tryamkin is, so Dawes would make a better long term captain. I am guessing that Avtomobilist want to extend Try at KHL rates. But I don't think their happy that Try can make 4 or 5 times the money here and can't match NHL pay. And negotiation is all about leverage. They are "rotating" 8 D men. They have a strong D corp. They clearly can live without Tryamkin. All this looks like an attempt to make him choose. My guess is that he is looking to make a comeback to get paid and prove himself in the NHL. Tryamkin, he doesn't like mindgames, I think he has a season and a half left in his contract which he will play out then return for the end of next season. I think his off ice issues of family have been dealt with and he will stick around for his hometown team as they are favored to win the championship. Again, we shall see how this plays out.