Why Maple Leafs' captaincy should be addressed this summer

Despite the lack of playoff success, I think John Tavares has been a good leader for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He leads by example, works hard, does the little things right, and even opens his home to the rookies as they come in. This article is in to way an indictment of Tavares' leadership. Having said that, it's Auston Matthews' time now. The captaincy should go to him this summer.

It's always a little awkward when the captain's 'C' moves between two active players. However, it has been done before. Tavares was a solid choice for the job when he was selected in 2019. Matthews, in the wake of an off-ice incident over the summer of 2019, clearly needed time to mature. It's been 5 years now, and the Leafs have massively underachieved in comparison to the expectations that were on this group when they were put together. Both Marner and Tavares have a year left on their contracts, with full no-movement clauses, but a shake-up is needed, and I think that moving the 'C' to Auston's chest is the way to do it.

Matthews is a 3 time Rocket Richard winner, a Hart winner, a Ted Lindsay winner, and was nominated for the Frank J Selke Trophy the Ted Lindsay Award and the Lady Byng this season. He's the guy the team looks to when the chips are down, and the one they trust to get the job done when it counts. As far as on-ice play goes, Matthews may as well be captain already. Playing through injury and illness in this year's series against Boston, Matthews still managed to be a key contributor whenever he was well enough to be on the ice.

The one caveat in this plan is that it must be done willingly. You can't just tear the 'C' off Tavares' chest and slap it on Auston's sweater. It needs to be a passing of the torch, and it has to be something Tavares is okay with, otherwise the move could create a rift in the dressing room, something the Leafs absolutely cannot afford.

If Tavares is unwilling to part with the 'C' let him keep it, but let that put to rest any thought of re-signing him after next season. If he's not willing to do what's best for the team, it's not worth spending the cap dollars to have him here.