"Leadership is about ownership and the curious decision to name Kevin Bieksa an alternate captain may already be paying dividends for the Vancouver Canucks.

Henrik Sedin made a point of proclaiming the much-maligned defenceman one of his four alternates — Daniel Sedin, Ryan Kesler and Manny Malhotra are the others — because the new captain believes Bieksa isn't afraid to say what's on his mind. And if the blueliner's post-game critique of his effort in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday is any indication of a willingness to accept blame, then give Henrik credit for seeking accountability in his leadership group.

Bieksa took a questionable interference minor in overtime when he brushed Drew Doughty in the offensive zone. It led to a 4-on-3 power play and six shots and left many to wonder what the heck Bieksa was doing.

"They called it pretty tight, but no excuses," said Bieksa. "I saw Sammy [Samuelsson] with the puck on the half wall and I really didn't see anybody back. I thought I've got to get back in case he gets a shot blocked. I'm just trying to man the point and not trying to touch anybody. Sammy ended up taking it my way and I kind of bumped the guy. I guess, it's one that could go either way."

In a first-period sequence, Bieksa couldn't contain Anze Kopitar and ended the shift by taking an elbowing minor on Justin Williams. But those blemishes didn't mar what was a better collective effort on the back end. Dan Hamhuis logged a game-high 25:41 and is the perfect calming influence for Bieksa. Keith Ballard blocked five shots — including two during the Kings' overtime power play — while Andrew Alberts kept pace, Christian Ehrhoff scored and Alex Edler showed a physical edge.

Add it all up and we know this much about how Bieksa is going to blend into this bunch. The alternate honour is not lost on him.

"It means a lot obviously," he said. "I came to camp, put my head down and worked hard. I did my thing."

Bieksa could have simply sulked and awaited a long-rumoured trade before Sami Salo's offseason injury changed the roster landscape. And with an expiring contract, he could also be wondering how the trade-deadline scenario will play out should Salo return and newcomers Ryan Parent and Nathan Paetsch hone their games to a sharper edge.

Regardless of all that, those in the room saw a focused Bieksa in training camp, a guy who went out of his way to make newcomers feel welcome."