[Darren Dreger] Expect the Toronto Maple Leafs to name Auston Matthews captain on Wednesday. This is part of the evolution of Matthews as a leader and current Maple Leafs captain John Tavares fully supports the change. Tavares has been heavily involved in the process with GM Brad Treliving.
by alphacheese
33 Comments
Great decision,
Everyone knows it’s Auston’s team.
Should’ve just waited till after this season. Let John ride out his contract and then switch the C. Don’t get this at all
It’s always been Auston’s team. I do think he should’ve been captain from the start
It worked for Harris it can work for us
I guess we knew it was coming but didn’t expect it to happen before this season
THERES NEWS
Mitch’s dad in shambles
Edit: mods can I get a forehead-related flair?
WOW
Had a feeling this would happen. I don’t think JT will have any hard feelings and would assume he’d at least wear the ‘A’ this year
Wow, unexpected. But very much needed. Thought they’d at least wait until next year.
Fuck I miss hockey so much.
Good on JT for stepping aside
Announce a Tavares extension with a low AAV at the same time.
I remember this being rumored (a lot) over the years and towards the end of this one heavily, so it’s interesting they are pulling the trigger now.
I’ll admit, I thought they were going to hold out this last year to wait until the contract dies but honestly it’s probably better than having it while JT potentially goes into negotiations next year (in a greatly reduced role/price presumably)
I’m sure there’ll be plenty of odd jokes etc because of this though, probably why they are doing it in the doldrums of the off-season, gives it time to be “old news” when the season rolls around
Imo this supports the idea Tavares will take a discount on his next contract. He’s doing what’s best for the team, not his own ego
What does Mitch’s dad think about all of this?
The King has his crown 👑.
i had a feeling. this is a good move though. i always thought matthews would make a solid captain for this team
Big fan of this
Deserved.
Hopefully this spells the end of Marner being part of the leadership group. Put some heart and soul guys like Tanev/McCabe, Mo next to Matthews. Veterans that lead by example on and off the ice.
I bought a Tavares sweater when he first had the A, never got it changed, now it’s gonna be accurate again!
Did not see this coming wow
Man, let’s fucking go. That jersey is gonna look sick.
It’s the right move. Classy of JT
Speaks volumes about JTs character if he wilingly stepped aside.
Itd be wise for him to focus solely on winning a cup at this point.
Let’s go
Is he going to alternate with Mitch?
Rielly and JT wearing the A’s?
JT is one humble MF
Mo and JT should get A’s but I wouldn’t give Marner one next year no way
Last few times JT was speaking he was saying how he wants to be captain. I wonder what kind of voodoo conversation Brad had with JT for him to change his mind and fully support this process. Good on Brad to have gotten it done.
Will they be announcing Johnny Toronto’s team friendly extension at the same time?
If he’s going to take a team friendly deal because he truly cares about the team’s success, then the best time to sign in it is now so that Treliving has a much clearer picture of what the cap is looking like moving forward.
Awesome news. Congrats Austin and thank you for your leadership and class JT