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Nick Kypreos reveals the Leafs plan to strip John Tavares from his captaincy


Samer Dagher
Jul 2, 2024  (12:34)
Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares
Photo credit: TSN

According to Toronto Maple Leafs insider Nick Kypreos, the team is considering removing the captaincy from John Tavares and giving it to Auston Matthews.

Kypreos shared on Sportsnet that the Leafs are contemplating this change. It's notable because the team nearly chose Matthews as captain last time before ultimately deciding on Tavares.
Nick Kypreos on SN discussing the Leafs potentially stripping the 'C' from Tavares:

"From what I'm hearing, the Leafs are contemplating taking the captaincy away from him and giving it to Auston. They will talk about it. I'm not saying it's going to happen, but it's real."

#leafsforever
Changing the captain usually doesn't significantly affect on-ice performance, but Leafs fans seem generally positive about Matthews becoming the next captain.
Should have been done a while ago.

John Tavares may be a good guy, a family man, & a home-grown talent, but his contract has been a disaster, his decline hard to watch, & was captain during some of the most embarrassing times we've ever endured.
He's a passenger.
As much as I love and adore Tavares, it's time for a change and Auston Matthews is the one who deserves it.
Tavares showed signs of decline last season, scoring 29 goals and 65 points—the lowest total he's had with the Leafs in a full season. In the playoffs, he had just one goal and two points. Matthews, the team's best player, is central to their offense. Many fans and possibly the team itself are questioning why he shouldn't wear the 'C', joining other top players like Connor McDavid.
Stay tuned to see if this change happens in Toronto.

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