Not everyone exactly thrilled with the move. Or more aptly, don't think it means much.
Quote:
Beyond all that, changing the letter on Matthews’ uniform from A to C doesn’t seem likely to be the elusive missing link that transforms this team from perennial playoff failure to something more respectable. It’s not as though Matthews hasn’t been in the room and on the ice as season after season has gone kaput. Will he somehow now be more empowered to exert his will as a leader? Can a mere piece of embroidery alter a failing team’s chemistry, let alone its playoff winning percentage? Anything can happen, but it seems a stretch.
The changing letters at least distract from the changing numbers. Matthews will command the NHL’s highest salary-cap hit beginning this coming season. That along with a new contract for William Nylander explains why the Toronto Core Four that was earning roughly 48 per cent of the salary cap last season will be earning approximately 53 per cent of the cap this year — even as the NHL cap took a substantial jump from $83.5 million to $88 million. In other words, a team that’s only proven itself as a bankable playoff loser is only getting pricier.
Blame the players if you like, but Toronto’s best skaters didn’t demand their no-trade contracts at gunpoint. Toronto’s best skaters weren’t in charge of the team’s salary cap. And Toronto’s best skaters didn’t engineer Wednesday’s ceremonial passing of the C. That came from a management team that has every reason to create a distraction in lieu of real transformation.
|
https://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs...a59af3d29.html