Ryan Reaves Breaks Silence on Maple Leafs Captaincy Shake-Up: Johnny's Handled it With Incredible Grace

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Chris Gerics
October 9, 2024 (11:06)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs made a stunning change this summer, naming Auston Matthews captain, and Ryan Reaves talks about the locker room changes because of it.

While it was certainly a surprise for many that Auston Matthews was named captain, it feels like it's finally his time. Not only proven on the ice, but he's become a strong locker room leader and earned the respect of his peers and veterans alike. This is his team and adding the 'C' to his jersey was just the icing on the cake for Matthews and the Maple Leafs.

Some may have thought former captain John Tavares would have been a bit shaken having the captaincy removed, although it was something he had a say in. Ryan Reaves, who has been with the Maple Leafs for a couple seasons noticed there is a change however, it's nothing but positive:

«Obviously that's a hard situation. You have a guy in Johnny who is a great leader, who's done nothing but great things for the city and the organization. And then you have Tone, who has shown that he can lead on and off the ice. Johnny has handled it very graciously, much better than I think a lot of people would have handled it. He's been around the room, he hasn't changed a bit-he's joking around, he's been loose. Sometimes these things happen, sometimes you just gotta pass the torch to the younger guy. They seem fine, and Johnny's been great, so.

He's been classy about the whole thing.»

Do you expect anything less from John Tavares though?

It's no surprise that Tavares has handled the situation with grace and class, something he is well known for around the league. Understanding that while his time as a player wasn't up, his time as the leader was. Not to say that Tavares will suddenly take a step back and not be the person that Maple Leafs fans and teammates know he is, but allowing Matthews to take charge while also keeping an eye on the first-year captain is the best for both parties.

Tavares has been around the league since 2009; he's a 15-year veteran and has been captain of both Toronto and New York for the majority of his career. His role is understood and he leads by example every given night, not necessarily needing a jersey patch to do so. Still a playmaker, Tavares is coming off a 65-point season but if he stays healthy and gets chemistry with Max Domi and William Nylander; he could reach 85 points for the first time since arriving in Toronto in 2018.

John Tavares has led the Toronto Maple Leafs with class, and passion, and has been nothing but gracious for the opportunities given to him. Now he knows it's Matthews' time to lead with the same love that Tavares has shown for the past six seasons.

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Was Brad Treliving correct to make Auston Matthews captain over John Tavares?
Yes, it's his time!	96	71.6 %
No, let the veteran still lead	38	28.4 %
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