Breaking: Craig Berube Named Leafs’ New Captain Ahead of Upcoming Season
The Toronto Maple Leafs could soon see a shift in leadership with the possibility of naming a new captain, a decision that is surrounded by controversy given the current situation.
The Maple Leafs’ current captain, John Tavares, is entering the final year of his massive seven-year, $77 million deal. As of now, there is no indication that contract extension talks have even started, fueling speculation that the Leafs are ready to hand over the captaincy to another player. The obvious choice? Auston Matthews.
The Potential Change
A recent piece in The Hockey News quoted Nick Kypreos on the matter:
“From what I’m hearing, the Leafs are contemplating taking the captaincy away from him (Tavares) and giving it to Auston. They will talk about it. I’m not saying it’s going to happen, but it’s real.”
While I have been a John Tavares supporter and believe he has done everything expected of him as captain, it should be no surprise that Leafs management is considering putting the “C” on Auston Matthews’ chest. However, doing so before Tavares leaves via free agency or a trade would send a very negative message.
The Optics of a Change
Stripping a captain of his role simply because there’s a more popular player on the team wouldn’t look good. While Matthews has grown into an elite player, he has yet to establish himself as a leader in the way Nathan MacKinnon has in Colorado. Matthews needs to prove his leadership during the playoffs to cement himself as a true captain.
There is a fear that Tavares might fade like Anders Lee on Long Island. However, Matthews will need to wait at least one more year before becoming captain. Waiting for Tavares’ contract to run out is the best way to avoid the negative press that would come from stripping Tavares of his captaincy without a compelling reason.
Leadership in Transition
It’s understandable to think it’s time for a change in leadership. The Leafs have changed significantly since 2019 when Tavares became captain. The best chance the Leafs had to win a Cup was during the 2020 bubble playoffs.
Five years later, the Leafs haven’t made a significant postseason run and don’t seem close to making considerable progress. But does stripping Tavares of the captaincy change the situation? Is Auston Matthews the type of leader that fits GM Brad Treliving and coach Craig Berube’s vision?
The Right Man for the Job?
Tavares has been the right man for the job so far, but Matthews is the face of the team. From a marketing perspective, Matthews as captain makes sense. Jersey sales would likely skyrocket with fans wanting a Matthews #34 with a “C” on it. However, the Leafs must handle this situation carefully. Disrespecting Tavares could impact how players see the organization, potentially affecting contract extensions and deterring future free agents.
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