The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to make Auston Matthews their new captain, sending a clear message. The team can’t alter its core due to players’ no-trade clauses, so they’re shaking up leadership instead.
Being named captain of the Maple Leafs is one of hockey’s greatest honors. When Matthews takes on the role, as reported by TSN’s Darren Dreger, he’ll become the 26th player to wear the “C” for the storied franchise and the first American to do so. Following Mats Sundin, he’ll also be just the second non-Canadian captain.
This move sees John Tavares stepping down from the captaincy, seemingly willingly, to allow Matthews, the team’s top scorer, to take over—a decision that many see as overdue. Matthews, at 26, is on track to be the greatest regular-season player in franchise history, boasting three Rocket Richard trophies and a 2022 Hart Trophy.
But this shift goes beyond just recognizing Matthews’ achievements. The franchise, known for its playoff struggles, is signaling that it expects more from its star player. Matthews, despite his regular-season success, has yet to deliver in the postseason, where the team has repeatedly faltered.
The Leafs are making this change as a statement: Matthews must step up as the leader on hockey’s most scrutinized team. The organization, led by Brendan Shanahan, is entering a critical phase, unable to change its core group but determined to demand more from Matthews.
While Tavares, who is nearing the end of a seven-year, $77-million contract, might be past his peak, Matthews is entering a lucrative four-year deal as the highest-paid player in the league. When Matthews signed this deal, he expressed his commitment to leading the team to success, and the Leafs are now holding him to that promise.
Matthews has yet to score a goal in a decisive playoff game or beyond the first round, and the team needs him to deliver in those moments. His captaincy represents a delayed coronation, as he was once considered for the role back in 2019 before an off-ice incident derailed those plans.
This change in leadership reflects the desperation of a team that has underperformed in the playoffs, similar to the San Jose Sharks’ past attempts to find success by changing captains. The Leafs hope Matthews has learned from past failures and can guide the team to new heights, as the franchise has long been stuck in a cycle of playoff disappointment.
The controversy surrounding naming Auston Matthews as the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs stems from a few key issues:
1. Off-Ice Incident (2019):
– In 2019, Matthews was involved in an off-ice incident in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he was charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly attempting to enter the car of a female security guard and dropping his pants (though not his underwear). The incident itself was controversial, but what compounded it was that Matthews did not inform the Maple Leafs management about the incident; they learned about it through social media months later. This incident raised questions about Matthews’ maturity and readiness for leadership.
2. Playoff Performance:
– Despite his regular-season success, Matthews has not yet delivered in the playoffs. The Leafs have consistently underperformed in the postseason, and as the team’s star player, Matthews has faced criticism for not stepping up when it matters most. Some critics argue that naming him captain could be premature, given his playoff record.
3. Leadership Qualities:
– There has been ongoing debate about whether Matthews possesses the leadership qualities necessary to captain a storied franchise like the Maple Leafs. Critics point out that leadership on such a high-profile team requires more than just on-ice talent; it demands accountability, resilience, and the ability to lead teammates through adversity—areas where some believe Matthews still has room for growth.
4. Impact on Team Dynamics:
– Shifting the captaincy from John Tavares, who has a well-regarded reputation for leadership, to Matthews might impact team dynamics. Tavares was chosen as captain in part because of his maturity and experience, and some fans and analysts worry that this change could create tension or disrupt the team’s chemistry.
5. Expectations and Pressure:
– By making Matthews captain, the Leafs are sending a message that he is expected to take on a greater role in leading the team to success, particularly in the playoffs. This decision places even more pressure on him to perform and deliver results, which some see as a risk given his previous playoff struggles.
Overall, while Matthews’ talent is undeniable, the controversy lies in whether he is ready to shoulder the responsibilities and pressures that come with being the captain of a team with such high expectations and scrutiny.
