Analyst responds to the idea that there could be a captaincy change in Toronto this season
This summer has been a strange one for the Leafs, to say the least. After yet another disappointing first round loss, there appears to be far less of the doom and gloom that typically surrounds the team after a first round loss. Perhaps it's due to the fact that, statistically speaking, the Leafs beat the Lightning up and down the ice in the series, but came up short due in large to spotty officiating. Whatever the case may be, there doesn't seem to be nearly the same level of pessimism from Leafs Nation.
One subject that has come up on a number of occasions during this offseason, however, is whether or not John Tavares is the right man for the job as captain of the Maple Leafs. Now, I can't imagine a scenario in which they were to strip Tavares of the captaincy. Neither can TSN's Mike Johnson.
"Unless both parties were really on board and somehow wanted it.. if John Tavares wanted to give it up and Auston Matthews wanted to have it on his chest, then maybe. But no, there's no room for it..
"Does Auston Matthews really WANT the captaincy? I know it's an honour and it's very symbolic. I don't think it would change a thing in how either player operates as far as their role... the only thing I could see changing before the end of Tavares' contract is if somehow it was tied into an Auston Matthews extension."
-Johnson dismissing the idea that the Leafs could pursue a change in captaincy this summer
"Does Auston Matthews really WANT the captaincy? I know it's an honour and it's very symbolic. I don't think it would change a thing in how either player operates as far as their role... the only thing I could see changing before the end of Tavares' contract is if somehow it was tied into an Auston Matthews extension."
-Johnson dismissing the idea that the Leafs could pursue a change in captaincy this summer
Obviously, Tavares is not getting any younger, but he's also coming off of his first healthy offseason in a couple of years and has stated that he feels great and that he's had a much better offseason this year than last. The fact of the matter is that Tavares is more likely to rebound this season than he is to produce less than he did last season. Beyond that, a captain doesn't necessarily need to be a team's leading scorer. If the guys in the room listen to Tavares and trust him in that role, that's really all that matters.
Auston Matthews' time will come if he wants that responsibility. For now, I'm sure the focus for him is primarily on the season ahead and trying in earnest to change the fortunes of the Leafs, who have built a bit of an unhealthy habit of being ousted in round 1 year after year.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 10 | 1108 ANSWERS Analyst responds to the idea that there could be a captaincy change in Toronto this season Who should the captain of the Leafs be? | ||
| Tavares | 337 | 30.4 % |
| Matthews | 519 | 46.8 % |
| Rielly | 191 | 17.2 % |
| Other | 61 | 5.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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