Auston Matthews

[bustaheims]

I'd name Rielly C.*

1.  Avoids having to slight either JT or AM by picking the other.  And, though they will be all good-soldier in public, it would be a source of jealousy in private I'm guessing.  Especially for JT, who's already worn that letter.
2.  This is pretty weak, but being captain might entice Rielly to take a modest haircut on his next contract ... which, if he keeps going on a Norrisworthy trajectory, may be unaffordable for us.  I worry about that even more than the whole Marner thing.

* Contingent on his agreeing to correct the spelling of his surname

I also think Rielly is an excellent candidate - if for no other reason than he has a few more seasons under his belt.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I've flip-flopped between all 3 options over the past year but since the playoffs I think I'm firmly in the Matthews camp. This has to become his team this summer.

 

[Kin]

I've flip-flopped between all 3 options over the past year but since the playoffs I think I'm firmly in the Matthews camp. This has to become his team this summer.

I agree. I think that if either Matthews or Tavares are the kind of guys to be bent out of shape over naming someone else the captain I don't think it would matter to them who does get named, just that it wasn't them. If that's the case, if I have to choose one guy between them it's Matthews.

If they're not the sort to get put out by that sort of thing I still think that with Matthews' age and just his importance to the franchise that he's the guy who needs to take that lead role.

 

[Bullfrog]

I've flip-flopped between all 3 options over the past year but since the playoffs I think I'm firmly in the Matthews camp. This has to become his team this summer.

I'm on the fence between Rielly and Matthews.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I'm on the fence between Rielly and Matthews.

My most simplistic reasoning is that I think this team is only ever going to go as far as Matthews takes them. If he's not THE guy right now, then getting the C could propel him into that role.

Also, regardless of what their relationship currently is putting the C on Matthews puts him on the same level of Babcock in terms of a lot of team decisions I think.

 

[cabber24]

I've flip-flopped between all 3 options over the past year but since the playoffs I think I'm firmly in the Matthews camp. This has to become his team this summer.

I'm on the fence between Rielly and Matthews.

I believe Matthews is the most well-spoken, articulate, skilled and the best brand.

 

[Kin]

I advocated for Matthews earlier but the truth is, I don't even really know what the captaincy means any more. Most of us are firmly on board the "You don't need to wear a letter to be a leader" school of thought so is it really anything more than symbolic?

 

[Bates]

I advocated for Matthews earlier but the truth is, I don't even really know what the captaincy means any more. Most of us are firmly on board the "You don't need to wear a letter to be a leader" school of thought so is it really anything more than symbolic?

Looking in from the outside and really not knowing the players it appears to me that Matthews is the player most likely to be unhappy not getting the C. I doubt the others even care.

 

[disco]

Matthews will come out with the announcement 8 seconds after the Marner contract announcement. Wait... being told he has a different agent.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Dapper Auston...

[tweet]1152285167702159363[/tweet]

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Looking in from the outside and really not knowing the players it appears to me that Matthews is the player most likely to be unhappy not getting the C. I doubt the others even care.

The first part of your quote sort of contradicts all the rest.

Personally, i don't think it matters much. It's as much a branding exercise than anything else.

 

[disco]

After he healed from his injury early last season, Auston stayed healthy the rest of the way. I saw more of a perimeter game with increased conscientiousness around the dangerous, high-traffic areas (slot and boards). If he manages to play all 82 games this year and with Willy on his right hand, I'm predicting big numbers from the captain.

 

[Bates]

Looking in from the outside and really not knowing the players it appears to me that Matthews is the player most likely to be unhappy not getting the C. I doubt the others even care.

The first part of your quote sort of contradicts all the rest.

Personally, i don't think it matters much. It's as much a branding exercise than anything else.

No contradiction. From my limited view this is what appears, those with a better view might see it different. It matters to some players. That it doesn't to you or I aren't really relevant. 

 

[hockeyfan1]

Praise from Pastrnak:

[tweet]1162007940708147200[/tweet]

 

[Zee]

I like pasta

 

[disco]

https://twitter.com/IanGraph/status/1162322858649034753
He's also learned a lot after spending the summer running guns for a Mexican drug cartel.

And Willy wants to know if you've been injured from an accident at your workplace.

 

[herman]

Matthews attended Darryl Belfry's now annual player summit and helped facilitate a conversation with members of the womens national teams.

https://theathletic.com/1179148/2019/09/04/inside-the-summit-how-auston-matthews-hilary-knight-and-hockeys-elite-get-better/

Cameo by Jack Han!

 

[hockeyfan1]

Auston ready to rock and lead the Leafs this season.

Private meeting with Babs described as ?positive? and upbeat.

All?s well that end?s well.

[tweet]1170052371327672320[/tweet]

 

[herman]

One of the things mentioned in the LeBrun piece above (thanks, hf1), is how comfortable Matthews looks and sounds now. And that reminds me of when Dubas announced that players can do whatever they feel comfortable with re: facial hair.

https://twitter.com/mapleleafs/status/1169992955538616321

 

[disco]

https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1171180375349092360
Remember guys, if you find yourself at the lip of the crease with an open net, just TAPPP IT IN.

https://twitter.com/TLNdc/status/1171180243434037249
Legend has it Sandman came out of the womb fully attired in gym shorts and Gap tee.