With John Tavares now part of the Toronto Maple Leafs, questions about the team's open captaincy appear to be building.
The club has not had a captain since Dion Phaneuf was dealt to the Ottawa Senators in 2016. Many believe Auston Matthews will step into the role after getting a few seasons under his belt. However, Tavares - who served as captain of the New York Islanders for five seasons - could now be in line to assume the captaincy instead.
It's a dilemma likely being overblown in Toronto. Bobby Orr, whose agency represents Matthews, said the 20-year-old isn't worried about who will be named captain.
"The team is going to be a little different," Orr told reporters, according to TSN. "A very good team with JT there and he is thrilled. Again, this bull about being upset about this and being upset about that, the captaincy. That's so wrong, shouldn't be happening. They are a good team, they are going to be a very good team and John puts them closer to their goal and that's what Auston is concerned about."
Meanwhile, Matthews is now eligible to sign a contract extension with the Maple Leafs. But as Orr said, there isn't a rush to put pen to paper.
"I don't think it's (about) money," Orr said, according to TSN's Gino Reda. "It's like John Tavares' free agency. He wants to play in Toronto, and if it doesn't happen this year before the season starts, he still has a year left to fulfill his contract and we'll see what happens."
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