On Wednesday, Maple Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello said naming a captain "isn't something in the forefront" and that he "would not be surprised if we did not have a captain next year."
No Maple Leaf has donned the "C" since Dion Phaneuf's departure midway through the 2015-16 season.
Nothing has been said by the team about who will be the 19th captain in Maple Leafs history, but all signs point toward phenom Auston Matthews. Head coach Mike Babcock has hinted that it would be Matthews, and recently gushed over the type of person he is off the ice in a sit-down interview with TSN's Darren Dreger.
Aside from the fact that Babcock has alluded to Matthews being fit to wear the "C," it doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that he's the obvious choice.
Matthews has already shown that he can lead on the ice, displaying an impressive two-way game in his rookie campaign, scoring 40 goals and leading all Leafs forwards in ice time. He also displayed a calm demeanor when handling the unforgiving Toronto media, carrying himself as someone mature beyond his years.
Knowing Matthews is Toronto's eventual captain, some fans and media members alike may wonder, "why delay the inevitable?"
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Lamoriello has very strict guidelines when it comes to protecting his rookies. Ever wonder why James van Riemsdyk, Morgan Rielly, Jake Gardiner, or Nazem Kadri seemingly did every single in-game interview last season, even though Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander were far more interesting subjects? That's because Lamoriello preferred to shelter the first-year players.
In his sophomore season, Matthews will be on the same level playing field as everyone else when it comes to how often he can be interviewed. Given how polarizing of a figure he is as the Leafs' first No. 1 overall pick since Wendel Clark, and how successful he was in his rookie year, he is going to have microphones and recorders in his face as much as possible.
Matthews should experience a full year of answering questions before, during, and after games before he is given the captaincy.
People will argue, "Connor McDavid was named captain his second year." Yes, but you can't even begin to compare the Toronto media market with Edmonton. Being the captain of the Maple Leafs is equivalent to being the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys, or the face of the New York Yankees.
Imagine he were given the "C" this coming season - his first with full exposure to the media - and he went without a goal through the first 10 games, while the Leafs stumbled to a 3-7 start? The press would eat the young American alive.
Expectations are high for the Maple Leafs this season, and while there's no question Matthews is the right man for the job, there's simply no harm, no foul in delaying his captaincy for another season.
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