Editor In Leaf
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Toronto Maple Leafs: Picking The Next Captain

By John

Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Auston Matthews puts on a team cap after being selected as the number one overall draft pick by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Auston Matthews puts on a team cap after being selected as the number one overall draft pick by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs have had 18 captains in their long history in the NHL. It is a position of honor that comes with the highest of expectations. The next captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs will be the face of the franchise and lead the new birth of the team under the ‘Shana-plan’. The position is usually reserved for those that are willing, and able, to carry the city of Toronto on their backs with poise, professionalism, excitement, and of course skill.

The Toronto Maple Leafs currently have Matt Hunwick, Tyler Bozak, and Leo Komarov wearing “A”s on their jersey. No member of the Blue and White is expected to don the “C” this season, and for good reason.

There has been talk about Brooks Laich being a candidate to wear the letter once proudly worn by the likes of Mats Sundin, Doug Gilmour, Wendal Clark, Rick Vaive, Darryl Sittler, Dave Keon, and Ted Kennedy. Nothing against Laich, but he is no Sundin/Gilmour/Clark etc.

I can’t help but think the talk about Laich becoming Captain is nothing more than a stop gap that would be forced on Maple Leaf fans everywhere.

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I have no doubt in his leadership ability, but to be Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs should one not be expected to be around for as long as Sundin, who wore the “C” for 10 years. Or Sittler (6 years), Keon (6 years), Kennedy (8 years), even Gilmour and Clark had it for 3 years each.

Brooks Laich is a UFA after this season and even if he were to re-sign, he would likely be taking the captaincy away from someone that LeafNation would really want. I am talking about a player that will become your prototypical number 1 center.

A player that at 19 already has more poise than most of us ever will. A player that leads by example on and off the ice. A player that Maple Leaf fans know only a little about right now but soon will all be googley eyed over. Of course I am talking about Auston Matthews.

In two seasons we will all be kicking ourselves if we have already given the captaincy away to someone playing on the fourth line while Matthews becomes a dominate force on the ice and the leader off of it.

Regardless of whether or not Matthews ever wears a letter, he will forever be bombarded with requests for interviews, barraged by fans, and adorned by Torontonians everywhere.

If a Brooks Laich, or even a Morgan Reilly, is named captain in the next year, we will all come to regret it. Matthews will be regarded as the unofficial captain of the Maple Leafs leaving the real captain in his shadow.

The fans and media will make Auston Matthews captain. 

Auston Matthews’ play and professionalism will make Auston Matthews captain.  If there is one thing that connects Mike Babcock, Lou Lamoriello, and Brendan Shanahan more than anything else it is the desire to have their players act like a real pro.

While the likes of a Matt Hunwick, or Brooks Laich may also fit this description, no player comes close to Auston Matthews when you add in skill, excitement, poise, future playing time, and of course future jersey sales.

Next: Toronto Maple Leafs: Top Prospects, 17-20

Lou and management would be wise to wait two seasons and then name, the then 21 year old, Auston Matthews the 19th captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. I cannot think of a better person to build a team around for the next 10-20 years.

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