A lot has been made of who will be the captain for the Leafs next season and into the future now that John Tavares is in town.
Before Toronto signed Tavares, the smart money would have been on Auston Matthews assuming that leadership role. Now, though, it seems like it's safe to assume the former Islanders captain will wear the 'C' with his hometown team.
Matthews has commented on the hot-button topic for Leafs fans in the past, but in an interview with Jonas Siegel of The Athletic, he really opened up about Toronto's captaincy decision.
“Yeah, I would tell them yeah. I’d tell them I’d feel ready,” Matthews told The Athletic. “I don’t know what they’re thinking about doing, what they want to do. Obviously John has been the captain in New York for a while. So I don’t know what they’re thinking or what their whole ideal situation is for that. But I don’t think it really changes much, whether you have a letter or not, for myself or anybody. I go lead by example, on the ice, off the ice, and being a good teammate is a big part of that, too.”
“I’ve never really thought about it, honestly,” Matthews said. “When I played I was always the younger guy on the team so I was never a captain. I was an assistant captain at the (USA Hockey National Team Development) program. Playing in Europe obviously (I was) a young guy. It’s something I’ve never really thought about too much.
“But obviously you come into a situation like this and it’s something that if it happens then you definitely embrace it and accept it, and if doesn’t you go about your business and your thing the same way.”
There you have it Leafs fans. Matthews would welcome the 'C' if the Leafs were to give it to him, but if they don't, he's going to continue to lead by example.
Leafs fans can stop worrying about that and start looking forward to seeing Tavares and Matthews out on the ice playing together.
(H/T: The Athletic)
