Matthews not among Babcocks leadership Group. Won't wear a Letter

[DownGoesMcDavid]

Matthews is 20. Asking a 20yo to be the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs would be A LOT!

There is no controversy here.

And I'd add that the fact that they are going WITHOUT a captain to start the year could mean they are waiting for him to be ready.

But to not even wear a letter ??

 

[TheGoldenGod]

He's no McDavid, that's for sure.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Crosby and Ovechkin did just fine as Captains at a young age.

Tavares getting it without even playing a game for the team is .... interesting.

 

[DanM]

How long before the first poster complains about Leaf threads on the main boards but fails yet again to acknowledge how many of them are started by other fans?

Agreed

But if we bite, we are A-holes.

It is a no win situation.

 

[Tall Morty]

If you read between the lines, what they’re really saying is “We have very little else to talk about and we just want someone to view our articles”.

 

[Stephen]

They just don't want fans buying a Matthews jersey with an "A".

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

Still a smart move, give the letters to the vets of the team, shelter the young guys as much as possible.

This organization has learned a lot over the last few years, good to see.

Matthews is just like the other kids, he'll get the captaincy when he's ready.

It's the difference between having a team with multiple leaders who have lead multiple teams and played high level for country versus what exists on some other teams. It's nice having an embarrassment of riches.

 

[TheDoldrums]

He'll be the captain next season. They're waiting until he's on a long-term contract to give it to him. Patience.

 

[All Mod Cons]

From the outside looking in, it looks like they've finally learned how to insulate the youngsters in Toronto.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Really the only way any of this means a damn thing is if it matters in the room at all....and all indications is it doesn't. But I am sure that wont matter to anyone on the main boards.

 

[JoVel]

I don't see the issue with not giving him a letter. Better than giving a bad leader the C just because they're a good player.

 

[dangomon]

Why is this posted on the main boards. The only possible reason it can be here is to create a disturbance between Leafs fans and others....Holy moly this title is misleading.

 

[IWantSakicAsMyGM]

Agreed

But if we bite, we are A-holes.

It is a no win situation.

As I tell my 4 year old, don't bite, use your words.

 

[rojac]

This is probably the case. But no, it's 2018 everything has to be ammo ... a burn ...

I suspect it’s because a lot of the posters commenting are the type who are constantly attempting to undercut others with their words and actions, so they just assume the same of others.

 

[Tage2Tuch]

“**** bleep happens.” Auston Matthews (after significant loss)

That’s great leadership, especially not acknowledging your future hall of fame coach while he’s talking to you on the bench.

Even superstars shook there head to agree.


None the less I’m sure people will paint him as knowing more then Babcock.

Matthews has started to believe his own hype he’s the hulk hogan of the NHL half media creation.

 

[DanM]

As I tell my 4 year old, don't bite, use your words.

LOL

Good call!

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

Matthews is the franchise player not anyone else. Leafs better start treating him like the franchise player.

Also, though the other 3 are As, maybe Austin is the C?

And, have to get this off my chest, but Tavares is a good player, but IMO, not going to be the visible dynamo some are expecting. Matthews is the juggernaut and that is the way it is.

.....yet none of this has any bearing on wearing a letter or what the job of the letter wearer is.

 

[hamzarocks]

“**** bleep happens.” Auston Matthews (after significant loss)

That’s great leadership, especially not acknowledging your future hall of fame coach while he’s talking to you on the bench.

Even superstars shook there head to agree.


None the less I’m sure people will paint him as knowing more then Babcock.

Matthews has started to believe his own hype he’s the hulk hogan of the NHL half media creation.

Matthew's may be a poor leader but eichel is a poor leader and a poor general manager.

 

[rojac]

But to not even wear a letter ??

If Auston is a leader, he’ll lead. If he’s going to sulk and not lead because they don’t give him a letter, then it’s time to move him.

 

[Scandale du Jour]

But to not even wear a letter ??

He is 20... on a contender in the toughest market in the league.

Crosby, Ovechkin and McDavid were given the C for marketing reasons mostly. TML do not have to do that, the brand is strong enough and they are ready to contend.

Matthews does not need a letter. His time will come soon enough.

 

[Nizdizzle]

I found this curious to be obvious. Wondering if Babcock maybe mispoke, and that they'd have a rotation of alternates like they've done in previous years? If they go the entire year without without giving Matthews an "A" I think there is something amiss there. Another option, is that perhaps the decision to give Matthews the captaincy has already been made, and it'll be announced in the next few weeks.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

“**** bleep happens.” Auston Matthews (after significant loss)

That’s great leadership, especially not acknowledging your future hall of fame coach while he’s talking to you on the bench.

Even superstars shook there head to agree.


None the less I’m sure people will paint him as knowing more then Babcock.

Matthews has started to believe his own hype he’s the hulk hogan of the NHL half media creation.

Don't reach to far there shoulder injuries are a bitch to fix.

 

[Tage2Tuch]

Matthew's may be a poor leader but eichel is a poor leader and a poor general manager.

And a poor coach.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

“**** bleep happens.” Auston Matthews (after significant loss)

That’s great leadership, especially not acknowledging your future hall of fame coach while he’s talking to you on the bench.

Even superstars shook there head to agree.


None the less I’m sure people will paint him as knowing more then Babcock.

Matthews has started to believe his own hype he’s the hulk hogan of the NHL half media creation.

Yeah I recall this. Maybe this showed Leafs Mgt he needs more time. But good point from an Eichel fan who is unfairly criticized for his leadership at times also. So there is a double standard for the 2.

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

Agreed

But if we bite, we are A-holes.

It is a no win situation.

I say bite. Embrace it. Flood them. They're gonna hate you one way or the other. Give them a reason. Sit back and enjoy the next decade.