News Article: Matthews ready to be captain

[Liminality]

Far to many on here are saying it is Mathews team. He has not shown that it is. Taking a discount on a 8 year deal would show that it is his team. Thus far he has not shown anything to that would lead me to think it is his team. A rift or disagreement between and Babcock seems like there are things needed to be worked out. Let’s see what happens in the next 12 months before declaring the Leafs are Mathews team. Maybe it is Marners team a name no one has mentioned but should. He certainly earns consideration based on his play in the playoffs and from Jan onwards as it was his team then.

Was this Matthews' team last playoffs when he had 5 points in 6 games? Does the captaincy change every year based on how well the players do?

 

[egd27]

I'd be surprised if they announce one for this year anyways.

They are certainly not going to make Matthews captain until they have him on a long term contract. (maybe even with a team discount)

 

[X66]

When he shows that it is his team perhaps. Tell me what has he done to deserve the honour?

Guys like Nylander and Marner can do what they do because everything is always focused on Matthews. On the ice and off of it.

That's the power of a franchise center.

Just my two-cents.

 

[Mess]

Auston is "Da Man" and the likely captain, but JT addition does cloud this situation a little making it a 2 horse race as possibilities.

I's still go Matthews, knowing Johnny likely would understand he is late to the party here and so more willing to let things unfold as originally planed.

Matthews "C" , Tavares "A", Rielly "A" going forward.

 

[Notsince67]

Was this Matthews' team last playoffs when he had 5 points in 6 games? Does the captaincy change every year based on how well the players do?

Marner had 4

 

[Notsince67]

Guys like Nylander and Marner can do what they do because everything is always focused on Matthews. On the ice and off of it.

That's the power of a franchise center.

Just my two-cents.

Sure so he should expedite a contract. It isn't a mystery what the range is. Agree to a team favorable deal and we are off to the races

 

[Liminality]

Marner had 4

Yes he did.

 

[diceman934]

Was this Matthews' team last playoffs when he had 5 points in 6 games? Does the captaincy change every year based on how well the players do?

Not at all but thus far I have not seen anything to suggest that he is leading this team. He disappeared during the recent playoffs and has an issue with the coach. Nothing thus far has suggested to me Captain. Marner carried the team down the stretch last year and in the playoffs and was the main reason why the series went 7 games. That is what I want from a captain.

 

[mapleleafs34]

We can't wait until next offseason, we need a captain to lift the cup in June 2019

 

[djdev]

i dont want rielly anywhere near the captaincy. defensemen have enough pressure on them day in and day out without the added responsabilty of that captain title. i love rielly but i just want him focus on playing his best and nothing more. i felt that phaneuf played his best hockey here before he was named captain and i believe the added pressure of it effected his game.

matthews/marner/JT for me, any of those guys is a great choice.

 

[ToMaLe]

Auston is "Da Man" and the likely captain, but JT addition does cloud this situation a little making it a 2 horse race as possibilities.

I's still go Matthews, knowing Johnny likely would understand he is late to the party here and so more willing to let things unfold as originally planed.

Matthews "C" , Tavares "A", Rielly "A" going forward.

I dont always agree with you, but in this case I do. Its about how I would of worded it also.

 

[hfman]

did it ever occur to anyone that no one on the team really gives a **** who's captain and what they say about it being up to management to make that call is true?

 

[Eb]

i dont want rielly anywhere near the captaincy. defensemen have enough pressure on them day in and day out without the added responsabilty of that captain title. i love rielly but i just want him focus on playing his best and nothing more. i felt that phaneuf played his best hockey here before he was named captain and i believe the added pressure of it effected his game.

matthews/marner/JT for me, any of those guys is a great choice.

Didn’t Phaneuf play like what, 7 games before being named captain?

 

[CanadasTeam]

Maybe I’m looking into this too much, but it seems like Matthews isn’t all that eager to be Captain... I think a player should WANT the captaincy... ‘if they ask, sure... okay’.

For context, here's a short transcript of Auston when asked about captaincy.. so basically if it happens, cool.. and if not life will go on:

 

[notDatsyuk]

Do teams ever let the players decide captaincy by a nomination and vote process?

Used to. Now it's a PR issue as much as anything. I preferred the old way.

 

[MyBudJT]

For context, here's a short transcript of Auston when asked about captaincy.. so basically if it happens, cool.. and if not life will go on:

I read the the quotes... sounds unsure to me... Tavares is saying he will accept captaincy, but he’s not really saying he WANTS it... which makes sense... he is still just 20 years old...

 

[notDatsyuk]

Didn’t Phaneuf play like what, 7 games before being named captain?

Yes, and look at what a disaster that was.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Interesting thing that was pointed out to me. When they signed Tavares, he was NOT wearing a leaf sweater. One possible explanation is that they plan on making him captain (possibly as part of getting him to sign). If so, they might not want to reveal that until closer to the season start, and want the 'C' on his sweater the first time it's seen.

 

[57 Years No Cup]

I have the answer right here....

 

[rojac]

Didn’t Phaneuf play like what, 7 games before being named captain?

He got an "A" after nine games when Komisarek got injured. He was named Captain during the following offseason.

 

[DarkKnight]

Man the TO media are an absolute joke about this Captaincy, Tim and Sid going on about how this could become a massive deal. Ppppllleeeaaaazzzeee.

 

[Puckstuff]

C - Auston Matthews
A - John Tavares
A - Morgan Rielly

Alternative options: Marleau, Kadri

Also OP you add a poll

 

[BM14]

Flame away but I'd want Hyman to get an A.
Legit real gud pro.

 

[Marshy]

Flame away but I'd want Hyman to get an A.
Legit real gud pro.

Ya I think this is a good call.

Can you only have 2 As if there is a captain? If so maybe he is first fill-in to wear a letter if someone goes down to injury.

 

[diceman934]

He got an "A" after nine games when Komisarek got injured. He was named Captain during the following offseason.

He was named captain in June 2010 after 26 games as a Leaf. So you are correct. My least favourite player since Rick Vaive.