Should Leafs Strip Tavares Of The 'C' & Give It To Matthews? | SDP

Steve Dangle, Adam Wylde and Jesse Blake discuss the rumour surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs potentially stripping John Tavres of the captaincy and giving it to Auston Matthews.
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[@tomchamberlain4329]

Lowry is captaincy done right. Just giving it to your best player is usually a meaningless symbolic gesture that doesn't benefit the team, just gives media closure.

[@Michael-pg7rv]

I agree. I feel like the captaincy should have gone to Morgan Reilly years ago. Then we would have this conversation about Rielly a year or two from now.

[@beaubock77]

Minus Winnipeg constantly underachieving and losing playoff games at home but yeah I get what you're saying...

[@user-sg8ld2hp6z]

Would of been like Boston giving it to pasta just because even after marchy it’ll be mcavoy that’ll be captain

[@quercusquercus532]

Auston's debut is a perfect microcosm of his time with the team. Record goal scoring, shocking skills we've never seen before. And we lost the game.

[@stratcat3216]

He was all about his 100 pts. After he didn't make that he was in a slump emotionally. He's not made of the right stuff is he?

[@justinpike1520]

It was Marleau to Thorton, Thorton to Pavelski, Pavelski to Couture.

[@SteveEagles]

Pavelski left though so slightly different for that one

[@mattrix4200]

For those who are too young or don't understand WHY Matthews can't be an NHL team captain allow me to explain. Team captains are in charge of things behind the scenes (and on the ice) that greatly impact: * Team morale * Team chemistry & integration * The image of the team members to the general public * Their own individual efforts on the ice * Making sure the whole team is on the same page (internal issues being addressed) So does Matthews have these qualities since being a Leaf? Well... * He's definitely an on-ice points & goals producer! * He's been involved in not one but TWO legal incidents where he's harassed people during the off-season * He's outright said to Leafs' management that he'll give his best effort ''when it matters'' * He's had a bad relationship with 2 out of the 3 NHL coaches he's played for so far * He's spent a LOT of time boosting his ''frat-boy image'' as a Bieber buddy outside of hockey * He's not overly active in any Toronto community building (apart from the standard PR events) * He's handicapped this team for the past 5yrs with his contract, and will now be handicapping them for the next 5-6yrs * He's shown ZERO leadership on and off the ice in pulling this team together .....So will Leafs management make him captain? Of course they will - hey maybe they'll pay him an extra 1-million per season just because they want everyone to know how much they like him as captain.

[@sals79]

good! matthews was a MUCH better choice than that robot from the beginning. i would have given it to rielly before tavares. and i don't even like rielly.

[@cooramoor100]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂. So you don’t like Matthew’s then.

[@yukoncorneliusthelegendhim9751]

well said matthews aint captain material and he's proved it. it isn't up for speculation.

[@Thehockeyoutsider99]

Mathews is the most popular Maple Leaf in the dressing room so your opinion of the matter don't change the reality. Mathews is the next Captain of the Maple Leaf's as he should be, He is the one player who carries his team night after night. Just because Mathews mooned a security guard when he was a teenager means nothing. It's a immature attempt to throw shade on him.

[@dawebman09]

He isn’t a good role model. Being captain has nothing to with how good at hockey you are.

[@raygaub9861]

I hope Marner goes and Matthews gets the C, then everyone can see he is part of the same problem.

[@ScubaSteveCanada]

Marner isn't going anywhere. When has Matthews shown any leadership ability with the Leafs? He's never lead the Leafs in the playoffs. Tavares is aged but is still the Captain for the next year.

[@teg-lh3ns]

agreed, handing him the C is rewarding failure. Someone needs to show up and earn that C.

[@matthoffman6962]

@@ScubaSteveCanadaAgree. As leaf fans is frustrating as F to see them lose year after year. But getting rid of Marner for almost nothing just to trade him is stupid, re-signing him partially handcuffs the team but after next season they “could” make it work. Tavares would need to not be resigned regardless of a contract dip. If Matthews is going to wear the C they’ll just not resign Tavares. The Leafs will NEVER strip Tavares of the C.

[@ewcamaewcama]

What is that going to do? Is stripping the "C" going to bring playoff series wins? A cup? Quit address issues that don't matter. Change the core!

[@adamn7777]

Exactly this. It's pointless semantics and shuffling of deck chairs to appease fans. Matthews isn't going to play better with a different letter on his jersey and Tavares isn't going to feel relief so much so that he significantly improves as a player. In the locker room guys speak up regardless of what letter is on their jersey even if there isn't one. Pick whoever the best captain you remember seeing on your team or any team in your lifetime and ask yourself if that guy would've just sat quietly in the corner if he didn't have a letter on his jersey or had an A instead of a C and the silliness of all this comes to light

[@biffstrong1079]

Should commentators stop worrying about non-essentials and start talking when the Leafs 'do' something to "improve" the team.

[@miyu545]

Filler content is a good approach. If you want to listen to how the leafs will improve - see you in about 4 years when the full rebuild starts.

[@Shawnaldo-jh3ve]

It's summer, there's nothing to talk about. Must make up something to talk about!

[@chuckmaloney1298]

Rielly should be captain

[@02smithm1]

This 👆👆👆👆💯

[@xtrickster6556]

F$$$ NO

[@mst3k54]

Never should even be a consideration. Literally the ONLY reason people want this is so they can call him “Captain Morgan.”

[@02smithm1]

@@mst3k54 ...and he's the longest serving member of the team, best D-man (granted, not hard on this team), way better with the media, has had no off-ice issues, and clearly has a way more grit than JT and Matthews combined?? The man is way more qualified - just being the superstar doesn't make you captain material.

[@cdb989]

No C for captain underpants. The guy is no where to be found in the playoffs

[@johnbuisman7464]

Unless there's an interpersonal/discipline issue, I don't believe in stripping the captaincy. It may be inherited once the existing captain is gone. I also don't think the best player has to be the captain. Please see the stripping of Rod Brind'Amour for Eric Staal. Besides, if you're giving the C to anyone else, it should be Rielly.

[@zigfield723]

Joe Thornton was stripped on his captaincy. The only player I can think of who made a decision on his own to give it up was Craig Conroy to Jerome Iginla.

[@ratedRblazin420]

No. They should strip the captaincy from Tavares and give it to Reilly. I can't stand the Leafs so it doesn't matter what they do tbh, but I've been saying it since day 1 Tavares isn't a leader. Someone that blasé can't motivate the team or rile guys up.

[@ScubaSteveCanada]

Neither could Keefe.

[@bryanthomas7022]

Tavares did a great job riling up team Canada for the Gold Medal at the WHC right after "Mathews" Leafs got punked out of the playoffs AGAIN!...

[@geographyinaction7814]

Reilly should be captain. He's been there the longest and always gets in people's faces when needed.

[@johnbuisman7464]

He conducts himself well in front of the Cameras, and the high stick after the empty net goal was just an accident (a punishable accident), so I think he's a good egg.

[@xtrickster6556]

😅😅😅 good joke

[@86daytonaz]

With all the issues Leafs have I think this should be dealt with next season. Doing this will not change the way they play but demoting a player may have a negative effect. This Topic is just SO STUPID but doesn’t surprise me coming from the LEAFS.😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@mcthunderstick2374]

Absolutely not! Matthew’s has never been a team player. He’s a goal scorer and nothing else. The captain must be someone who embodies the entire team, not just themselves and their own stats.

[@dronemachine4694]

The old man or the tummy ache captain. Top tier choices for sure.

[@Kprrr_]

JT stays Captain til he retires 👍🏼, then Matthews can wear the C

[@smaug1234]

why would they insult JT? there is zero reason to do that move.

[@robb412]

They didn't give it to "drop your pants" boy in the first place because...well, he dropped his pants in public. Now he's worthy?

[@ClaremontClassicGarage]

We need a captain that does captain things when captain things need to be done. 10,14,27,17,93,13. Those were captains.

[@JohnnyLREACTS]

Honestly with 1 year left on JT's contract whey even bother with this now. This move could have been done maybe a season or two ago but now you play it out. This isn't the Anaheim Mighty Ducks it's TML the C means something we should not make these decisions in this manner.

[@deltagolavista1]

JT, end of season media availability day; "Six years being a Maple Leaf, obviously becoming captain. Something very special I don't take for granted... it comes with age." JT knows the history of this team and what the captaincy means. He doesn't take it for granted, and I think a player like Matthews would. I also thought he said somewhere something of the lines like, I have one year left, I am the captain, I love being the captain of this team. We'll see how the year plays out. but I can't find it. If he did say something like that, I highly doubt he willing past the mantle to Matthews. I think he was told too and everything else is just for show. Don't let the team or media spin it any other way. If they strip him, it's just to say, 'youjr time is done here, accept a trade,' which would be a horrible way to treat a captain that has led the team to the playoffs these past 6 years, and scoring the only series clinging goal in that time.

[@brianmcevoy1990]

Its funny that none of the big 4 are really great leaders. Tavares is the best of the bunch but that isnt saying much. Reilly was always the best guy to be the captain.

[@casewojo6186]

If Matthew did this it would be so classless. This team is always in the headlines for the wrong reasons. It’s easy to dislike the leafs

[@jadon3776]

This organization needs to stop worrying about grown men’s feelings and just do what’s best for the team NOW. If Papi is the true leader then make him captain.

[@Borodin410]

He's soft and likes golf more than hockey. Plus the Leafs have never won a Cup with an American in the lineup.

[@bBrooksR]

@@Borodin410worrying about our captains nationality IS worrying about our feelings. Who cares

[@phils6733]

@@Borodin410you’re soft 😂 Do you play any sport at any level? Pro athletes and a guy like matthews who is in the top 5 in the league every year doesn’t show he’s soft. Shows you aren’t the brightest.

[@Borodin410]

@@bBrooksR American players are generally less gritty and play with less heart. Chelios is a notable exception, but American hockey is more about show-boating than love of the game. Grit and heart are necessary to win a Cup.

[@Borodin410]

@@phils6733 Regular season play is a different animal. Shotboating players are able to rack up points. That's not enough for the playoffs, or to win a Cup. Matthews just wants to cash his cheque at the end of the season and play golf.

[@Bolz4321]

the illusion people have, that the "C" has to be on the best player is nuts. it should be on the leader of the team, the guy everyone looks up to and respects.

[@berra91]

no

[@mjk06]

Imagine giving the Captaincy to a guy that doesn't show up in the Play-offs, be such a Leafs thing too do haha! All well and good scoring 60+ goals in the reg.season...when there's generally more space and time. But he disappears when it matters.

[@georgeyoung2439]

Marner actually has more playoff points than Mathewson last 8 years

[@acanadianineurope814]

changing the C wont help nothing will help the laffs another season of hilarity incoming hoping steve has insurance on his voice, he is going to need it

[@clifflayne9073]

Auston Matthews should NEVER hold the Captaincy of the Leaf's. He is a totally self centered "me first" child. He is NOT so solidly stupid that he did not realize that 4 players taking more than 50 % of the cap, would mean that the Leaf's would never win a cup during his tenure.

[@sals79]

you're blaming matthews because tavares decided to take a "hometown discount?" if i'm matthews and easily our best player, i absolutely want more than that robot! FOH!! tavares is the culprit here. i hope that clown, trudeau takes all of tavares' money.

[@user-md3ij9oc9q]

@@sals79what about the sore mangina in the playoffs where he did not play for 2 games???

[@marcmeunier2104]

The emotional leader that straight up quit on his team when it mattered the most

[@macleanclassics]

No... mathews doesn't say "captain" to me.

[@robertjulianagnel1100]

Captains are leaders is Mathews a leader? Skill is great but the the will to win and natural leadership are necessary for a hockey team captain. I haven't seen these in his game so far.

[@Devin_Dunphy]

Absolutely change. 34=C

[@02smithm1]

I've commented on here plenty of times saying the same thing: strip JT of the captaincy. It's a no-brainer. No successes and clearly the wrong personality for the job. ...it's time for Captain Morgan. Better media handling, big personality, has served longer and can use his new platform alongside Tanev to step up another level.

[@leaf16nut]

Captaincy is absolutely and utterly meaningless in todays NHL 🤷‍♂

[@JasondenHollander-qj5hp]

A captain is the first person you select in a team and a leader; on form it’s Reilly, on popularity it’s Mathews and on romance it’s Nylander. That’s partly a joke but imagine Nylander being culpable

[@elomellow1623]

What I find adorable about the Maple Leafs is that each year they want big changes after losing in the first round of the playoffs, and once those changes don't happen, they become okay with the status quo, believing that the next season will somehow be different. Matthews, while he's an exceptional player, he's not the greatest leader. But, I could be wrong.

[@PeterGonet]

Captaincy? Why, for the regular season only?

[@janetmcivor6805]

NO

[@JustinMcNulty-vw7ni]

This is the passing of the torch, I think JT will have such a weight lifted and he deserves he’s respect.

[@odoaceroftheneoromanempire7178]

Give it to Nylander. He actually seems to care and was distraught after the recent first round exit. Matthews looked like it was just another loss. Where is the passion? Anger? Have never seen it from Matthews or Tavares. Matthews is more passionate about scoring regular season goals than about winning in the playoffs.

[@TheBalls2thewalls]

That will distract from the fact they still will not have traded anyone of the core. Feels like a Shanahan thing to do.

[@anikinkhan]

Definitely don't strip the captaincy from Tavares. He will need to make that decision on his own and pass the torch to Mathews. I still think Riley should have been captain from time.

[@MHMerriman]

This conversation is *exactly* what is wrong with the Leafs. The captaincy is about leadership and personality. The abilities of the player are important as well but should NOT be the driving force of the C being on anyone’s chest. FWIW, JT is a fantastic hockey player but never gave the vibes of a guy who had passion for winning. Very “ho hum” and while I’m sure losing in the playoffs year after year are him up, if you look at the team they kinda took that personality to heart and showed that same style on the ice. And I’m not sure AM34 would be that different.

[@xtrickster6556]

None of those flakes should be captain. Not one of them are captain material. Find someone with a Wendel Clark mentality and you'll have your captain

[@ericwilliams1845]

Stripping the C from Tavares is the dumbest idea. Why? What point does it serve right now unless it’s the team and players deciding to do so.

[@willsk7068]

I dont think any of them on the team should be captain. The captain makes sacrifices for the team and AM doesnt do that cap wise or leadership wise. None of them do that on the team, the Capt materials are the ones that walk away.

[@gibberish5388]

Thats a weird way to say Tavares is a better captain that Phaneuf.

[@TwoNNsB]

"...a better citizen..." who is in trouble with the Canada Revenue Agency?

[@JustinMcNulty-vw7ni]

Yes I think Matthews should be Captain, but I think JT should walk up to him and say here I give this to you and I will follow you to the end

[@kenrobi1332]

Who says the best player should be the captain? Why put that extra pressure on someone!

[@ahmedali35]

None of you guys mentioned the most obvious question, is he a leader?

[@adamzita]

The Leafs org. is so anal about the who wears the C. After Sundin Left how many years was there before the gave it to Pylon..2008-10 and then no caption for three season 16-19. There were people they could have given it too, but decided not to. They will not give it to Matthews while JT is on the team.

[@adriane7841]

Why would they strip Tavares a year or something before his contract is up? Just doesn't make sense

[@christophercarrigg3775]

Leafs fans are so desperate to take the c away from Tavares and give it to Matthews. You guys have been talking about it for 3 years now

[@8JFJK8]

Depends. Does Auston want it? Does Tavares want to pass it on? Do the Leafs players even care and is this just a media talking point? Probably. As a Leafs fan idc. Tavares and Matthews both handle the media well but i think Tavares is best at giving them nothing and keeping drama at bay.

[@07foxmulder]

They shouldn’t have made Tavares the captain in the first place.

[@JasonBlackburn_02]

are you dumb ? everyone in the league know what type of leader he is you donut

[@jonah.donohue]

😂😂😂😂

[@nickcicione8455]

Yep, and what captain bails on his team and then you make him C on another team lol.

[@jonthedawn]

It was Patty to Jumbo.. and even though both lost the C eventually they eventually went to the cup finals. Imagine that...not blowing up the core lol. They did make a coaching change however.

[@amsro9094]

Nylander is a better choice than Austin. Tavares might as well keep it one more year until he's gone or takes a smaller contract.

[@jamesmcaulay4656]

No do not strip John of the captain. He has one year to go then rethink it

[@Aytrex87]

After that incident in Arizona...no

[@robertstacey63]

JT will be gracious and give it to Auston like the player JT is.

[@Loystefeller]

That aggregator sounds a bit like the news media!

[@dannymoxley-towns8541]

34 DOESNT DESERVE IT.....hes done nothing too show why he deserves it.....scoring 69 goals but then collects his 13.25M after each 1st round lost.....

[@robertstacey63]

Papi should have got the C his 2nd year but couldn't keep hir pants up

[@Thehockeyoutsider99]

If they don't remove the C from this guy then it shows how badly run this team is. No consequences for anything with this core. They are so pampered it's pathetic. I don't see anything getting better until Shanahan is gone. He is the guy who let Hyman go for free and he is the guy who continues to run everything back. They could have traded Kampf, Liligren and Jarnkrok and used that 7 million towards signing Pesce or Montour. So now the defense is apparently is what it is, then they should trade all 3 of those players for the best center they can get.

[@bipolarpunt5721]

Marner loves Toronto, is a workhorse, incredible talent. Sign Marner before he leaves and wins the Hart.

[@fawkesclub2590]

Toronto needs stronger voices in the room period Regardless of who wears a letter

[@TheDak123]

Are we forgetting why he didn't get the c back in 2019? He was facing disorderly conduct charges and I believe was suspended by the league over it.

[@joshb6470]

just do what Luongo did with Sundin, make it a show

[@GhanshyamFromIndia]

Tavares should keep C

[@thomasdidymus1393]

Tavares should never have been named Captian...Auston Matthews was in Toronto before Tavares...he was younger and was always going to be in Toronto longer...it never made any sense. Tavares is a great player but not the most vocal guy...Toronto has wasted Auston Matthews up to this point. The guy should already have won a cup by now. Figure it out!!!

[@Leafsdude]

Kinda speaking out of both sides of your mouth when you complain about everything that's wrong about the core-4 every day (rightly, I think) and then insist that one of them should be given the C.

[@nickcollins4268]

100% great guy

[@ataxius86]

I mean, can he score a playoff goal?

[@zach3640]

Lol word it however you want they still had the C taken away, whatever mental gymnastics work for you though.

[@goku0910]

John doesn't carry a purse...

[@captaincanada9985]

The American locker room cancer who only seems happy in off-season and on commercials he’s paid to smile? Really? Captains aren’t the best players on sheet but are in he locker room. Matthews makes the same golf reservations or mid to late April in the states cause he doesn’t care. Shoresy said it best “he doesn’t hate to lose” a guy like that won’t end a 50+ year drought even if he scores 34% of the points

[@ed230]

Frankly I'd give the Cto tanev

[@82unclephilly]

Let JT ride out his last year as Captain. Give AM the C the next year. 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@CoinandRelicOntario]

Makes absolutely no sense!! Why is this even a topic? Oh yeah its the middle of summer and nothing else to do! 🤔

[@Rob78169]

So glad you brought that up Adam. All these contracts were signed not knowing a global pandemic was going to flatten the salary cap for a half decade.

[@moodlampActual]

Lets be real, theyre sending an obvious hint to jt. Leave bro. Lets us move yoyr contract.

[@TheLivewire18]

Matthews is like Nate Mackinnon. They might not technical be the captain, but everyone basically already thinks of them as the captain anyway

[@dronemachine4694]

Captains don’t miss games for tummy aches lol

[@Dylandontplay]

MATHEWS ISNT EVEN CLOSE TO MACK!! And I’m a leafs fan!! Mathew’s is a pussy and crumbles every playoffs

[@donniedoesdishes]

lol matthews isnt close to mckinnon , mckinnon is a leader and a winner matthews is neither

[@Dylandontplay]

@@TheLivewire18 MATHEWS ISNT EVEN CLOSE TO MACK!!! Mathew’s crumbles every playoffs!!!

[@Dylandontplay]

@@dronemachine4694 lmao exactly!! And I’m a leafs fan!! Mack is way better than Mathews

[@TheShane12341234]

Steve, you’re so out of it this day

[@JamieEhh]

The C and A's are cosmetics and just for show. The only leader on the Leafs that actually did something was Spezza. Waste of breathe and time talking about it

[@neiltalbot3186]

to give it to Tanev

[@chrisbee9643]

1st: Tavarez never was the right choise. In 2019 Morgan Rielly was. 2nd: There is no need to strip him of the "C", now that he got it for years and his contract is up next season. 3rd: If you switch the "C", give the "C" to the person, that deserves it the most: The fans! (So go with triple A again, until a "C" really steps up, which nobody does at this point in time! Simple as that.

[@jonah.donohue]

Rielly who cross checks the opponent in the face? Captain material

[@chrisbee9643]

@@jonah.donohue we dont play soccer bro.

[@razzerTM]

@@jonah.donohue yes

[@kurt9034]

Yes, as habs fan. He is your cornerstone franchise player.

[@VetGoalie76]

This is a BS story and Matthews isn't a leader. His frat boy Bieber buddy attitude isn't what the Leafs need to build a team to win in the playoffs and take home a Cup. Do we all forget about his 2019 Arizona incident?! Bad decisions don't make him leader material.

[@pepepepert]

Matthews hasn't earned it yet. He disappears in the playoffs.

[@Borodin410]

He's soft and likes golf more than hockey. Plus the Leafs have never won a Cup with an American in the lineup.

[@alltheworldsastage.]

​@Borodin410 Lol

[@meshworkj]

Reilly

[@ghostspectre1861]

I'd take Wendel or Dougie all day, any day, over Auston. Sorry.

[@tygriffith7893]

They still be golfing

[@justinfidelcastro2861]

No!! He's not a leader either. Give it to Sidney Crosby when he comes. 🎉

[@stratcat3216]

2024-2025 rewind it again.. smh

[@user-md3ij9oc9q]

😂😂😂. Give it to the guy that had a sore mangina for 2 games in playoffs. ONLY in TO.

[@semmcstevenson]

No.

[@tplomonte]

In a word No! What qualities would Mathew have that Travares lacks or missing! Adam has been on making Mathews Captain for sometime now! Where has Mathews taken over a game ? A playoff series! Stood up for another player! Face of the franchise doesn't mean he would make a good Captain ! get respect not from his team mates but from around the league,!! Mathews is not a dominate player he does not or can not take control of a game ! He does not dictate the tempo ! Like a MacKinnon McDavid ! He shows no emotion !! Nothing at all ! His voice does not make you want to listen ! Or play by example. He hits but will not ever get in a players face. It would be the worst mistake if Mathews is to be made Captain , Morgan Rielly Jake McCabe have better qualities to be a Captain. This is not high school or college. A Captain does not have to be the face of any team!! Mathews gets ragged doll and smiles while it's happening!!! Sorry but Adam Steve Jessie Mathews is not worth the Captiancy!! If your point is because of of Points why wouldn't Marner be worthy of being Captain or Nylander??? Ove Sid Trubba Larkin Marchant Petroangello Barkov are worthy of wearing the C and not necessarily the face of their teams