[News] Leafs to name Matthews captain, will replace Tavares

[blankall]

Tavares is turning 34 and his production clearly dropped last year, especially during their failure of a round 1 exit. He must realize it's better for the team for him to step aside. The guys at the tail end of one of the biggest contracts in NHL history. He needs to be a professional. No one should feel bad for him.

The media is so dramatic about the whole thing. "Stripped" of the captaincy? Like he's in the military and they'll be some public ceremony where they rip the C of his uniform in disgrace. It's time to mix things up and let someone else take over the captain role.

[Ferarri]

Very similar to when Conroy passed the torch to Iginla who was emerging as a superstar. Only difference is whether or not Tavares wanted to do this or not. I’m sure at some level he knew this was coming given his age and production decline. Media blowing this up and wanting a juicy story.

[icarus]

I don't really care about this, but it's been the top story on the TSN website for three days now. Is there really no other sports news?

[cam_calderon]

Originally Posted by icarus

I don't really care about this, but it's been the top story on the TSN website for three days now. Is there really no other sports news?

Probably something happening in baseball - but it's baseball.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Ferarri

Very similar to when Conroy passed the torch to Iginla who was emerging as a superstar. Only difference is whether or not Tavares wanted to do this or not. I’m sure at some level he knew this was coming given his age and production decline. Media blowing this up and wanting a juicy story.

First thing that I thought of.

The controversy will be when they sign McDavid and have to decide who will be captain.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

First thing that I thought of.

The controversy will be when they sign McDavid and have to decide who will be captain.

It will be Matthews. I don't think McDavid cares who will be Captain. I don't know this for sure, just guessing by seeing how he relates to media and his personality. He would probably be more than ok with not having that on him.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Ped

I think the point was, there is some question of whether or not Landeskog will play again, no?


LA took the C away from Brown after they had their cups.

And it worked so well for LA?

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by icarus

I don't really care about this, but it's been the top story on the TSN website for three days now. Is there really no other sports news?

Jarren Duran of the Red Sox was suspended for 2 games for telling a heckling fan to "shut up you effing f***ot*" after being caught on a hot mic. Since the suspension, his jersey is now the top-selling jersey on the MLB shop online, ahead of even Ohtani.

[butterfly]

Originally Posted by activeStick

Jarren Duran of the Red Sox was suspended for 2 games for telling a heckling fan to "shut up you effing f***ot*" after being caught on a hot mic. Since the suspension, his jersey is now the top-selling jersey on the MLB shop online, ahead of even Ohtani.

That was really disappointing, because he is a pretty good ballplayer. I didn't know about the jersey thing though.

[Ped]

Not everyone exactly thrilled with the move. Or more aptly, don't think it means much.

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