Tavares will lead with or without the C. Giving it to Matthews just solidifies him as face of the team
- Canada Cup

Tavares is signed longer

Matthews 100% gets the C
- Canada Cup

I think it’s likely what’s going to happen but Reilly then JT would make the best choice for captain. It’s a captains job to be the go between guy for the players and the coach so it’s important he has a good relationship with the coach. Outside speculation aside you can look at Matthews usage to see that he’s not a Babcock guy. Tavares would be a good choice as he’s a vet at this point and has done it before but he’s also only been there a year. Reilly is a good representative for both the players and the coach, has been there for years, and his play has developed to a point where it wouldn’t be a head scratcher

Tavares will lead with or without the C. Giving it to Matthews just solidifies him as face of the team
- Canada Cup

Yeah, but Nylander is The Face of the team.

Tavares is signed longer
- AdamFrench

If he gets the 'C' I'll bet it gives him more incentive and desire to re-sign.

Tavares is signed longer
- AdamFrench

That means we don’t have to placate him. Giving it to Matthews might help in 5 years.

That means we don’t have to placate him. Giving it to Matthews might help in 5 years.
- shack67

If he gets the 'C' I'll bet it gives him more incentive and desire to re-sign.
- mjones242

Matthews wanted a 5 year deal to maximize his bank account.

A "C" on his jersey (and the responsibility that comes with it) doesn't do that.

Tavares is signed longer
- AdamFrench

Exactly.

Give it to Tavares.

He's here long term, one of the best players, one of the oldest guys on the team, been a C before, Toronto guy that the fans will resonate with, his personality is so painfully boring that he'll never get too high or too low and won't do anything stupid that creates a needless controversy.

Matthews wanted a 5 year deal to maximize his bank account.

A "C" on his jersey (and the responsibility that comes with it) doesn't do that.
- JohnFergusonJr

You don't think Matthews craves the captaincy? You don't think being the captain of the most popular team in the NHL carries any incentive for him?

A captaincy cements in his mind (and his ego) that this is HIS team.

So yeah, on the contrary: it does do that.

Matthews wanted a 5 year deal to maximize his bank account.

A "C" on his jersey (and the responsibility that comes with it) doesn't do that.



Exactly.

Give it to Tavares.

He's here long term, one of the best players, one of the oldest guys on the team, been a C before, Toronto guy that the fans will resonate with, his personality is so painfully boring that he'll never get too high or too low and won't do anything stupid that creates a needless controversy.
- JohnFergusonJr

I think Tavares should get the captaincy but I'm expecting Matthews to get it. Would that pi$$ Matthews off if Tavares were named Leafs captain? Or would he rather not be the Leafs captain and all the pressure which comes with it? Would he be less likely to leave as a UFA if he were the captain? Matthews is a hard guy to read. He's quiet on the outside but I get the feeling he's as competitive as anyone on the inside. He reminds me of Yzerman that way.

I think Tavares should get the captaincy but I'm expecting Matthews to get it. Would that pi$$ Matthews off if Tavares were named Leafs captain? Or would he rather not be the Leafs captain and all the pressure which comes with it? Would he be less likely to leave as a UFA if he were the captain? Matthews is a hard guy to read. He's quiet on the outside but I get the feeling he's as competitive as anyone on the inside. He reminds me of Yzerman that way.
- gergeswillems

They’ll name Matthews the captain and then in five years he’ll sign a contract with the New York Islanders. Snakevares goes full circle.

Tavares is signed longer
- AdamFrench

will be rough watching all those 47 goal seasons.

Matthews wanted a 5 year deal to maximize his bank account.

A "C" on his jersey (and the responsibility that comes with it) doesn't do that.



Exactly.

Give it to Tavares.

He's here long term, one of the best players, one of the oldest guys on the team, been a C before, Toronto guy that the fans will resonate with, his personality is so painfully boring that he'll never get too high or too low and won't do anything stupid that creates a needless controversy.
- JohnFergusonJr

Matthews wanted 8 years

new blog everyone

Matthews wanted 8 years
- shack67

you sure?