Leafs to announce captain

[Bullfrog]

I would be completely on board with Rielly as the captain.

Yup and same with Matthews. I think Spezza's getting an A. Don't know why, just think he will be this year's Marleau.

Zero chance Spezza gets an A, unless they're giving them out to everyone who doesn't get a C.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

The thing that everyone will forget about in a couple of weeks?

I think we've all sorta said our piece about what happened there so I don't want to drag too much of that conversation here but I'm not sure a fanbase's short-term memory about something like this hold more weight than the lack of maturity that Matthews showed both during and in the months after the incident (and maybe from the Leafs' perspective especially after).

 

[Highlander]

The thing that everyone will forget about in a couple of weeks?

I think we've all sorta said our piece about what happened there so I don't want to drag too much of that conversation here but I'm not sure a fanbase's short-term memory about something like this hold more weight than the lack of maturity that Matthews showed both during and in the months after the incident (and maybe from the Leafs' perspective especially after).

I think Captain sound more like for a Ship...for this team we need a "Squadron Leader"

 

[Guilt Trip]

I would be completely on board with Rielly as the captain.

Yup and same with Matthews. I think Spezza's getting an A. Don't know why, just think he will be this year's Marleau.

Zero chance Spezza gets an A, unless they're giving them out to everyone who doesn't get a C.

Haha maybe. Maybe I just have gas and that feeling will pass also!

 

[Bullfrog]

I agree, CTB, and I think it may have cost him the captaincy. I think he should have the opportunity to redeem himself.

But between Tavares and Matthews, I think Matthews is the better choice. I voted for Tavares because I thought he would be the most likely choice, but not because I wanted him to be the C. The more I think about it, I think Rielly's the best choice.

In the end, I think the anointed group will be Rielly, Tavares, Matthews, and Marner. (I know, I'm really going out on a limb here.) We haven't really talked about it, but I'm 100% positive Marner gets an A.

 

[Peter D.]

All along I've been: thinking it'd be Matthews in a slam dunk; hoping it'd actually be Rielly; and of the belief that Tavares was the safest choice (and also my second choice after Rielly).

 

[Fanatic]

My guess would be Tavares with the C and Matthews and Rielly with A's.

 

[herman]

Steve Simmons (I know) did claim that the front office was previously split on the decision, with Dubas leaning Tavares, Shanahan leaning Matthews, and Babcock's preference unknown to Simmons.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

In the end, I think the anointed group will be Rielly, Tavares, Matthews, and Marner. (I know, I'm really going out on a limb here.) We haven't really talked about it, but I'm 100% positive Marner gets an A.

Well we know Tavares and Rielly are locks for 2 of the letters. If Marner gets one then I'd imagine it'd be a part of a home/away split with Matthews. I can't see Marner getting an A over him outright. But I'm guessing Rielly and Matthews will have permanent As.

 

[Peter D.]

Steve Simmons (I know) did claim that the front office was previously split on the decision, with Dubas leaning Tavares, Shanahan leaning Matthews, and Babcock's preference unknown to Simmons.

I actually find this backwards -- I thought for sure Dubas would want Matthews and Shanahan would lean towards Tavares. 

 

[ZBBM]

I was one of the few that voted Tavares in the poll, so I somewhat saw this coming as a safe vote. However, after watching the Leafs Blueprint, it should be Matthews. Tavares is so void of personality, that I have trouble picturing him as the face of the franchise. The captaincy is primarily symbolic, so why not have someone that you can get excited about? Someone who represents the future of the NHL.

Tavares is as boring as they come but Matthews doesn't exactly have an exciting personality.  Not to mention what Carlton just mentioned.

And how does he "represent the future of the NHL" any more than Tavares?  It's not like Tavares is on the verge of retirement.

Perhaps I'm naively optimistic, but I picture the future NHL as having people, not robots.

And I don't see Matthews as being that far off of one.

 

[Highlander]

I wish it was Captain Mogen just for the R& C implications.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Steve Simmons (I know) did claim that the front office was previously split on the decision, with Dubas leaning Tavares, Shanahan leaning Matthews, and Babcock's preference unknown to Simmons.

I actually find this backwards -- I thought for sure Dubas would want Matthews and Shanahan would lean towards Tavares. 

In a way Matthews is more linked to Shanahan (Shanny was the one who came in and tore the franchise down leading to the tank year which led to the lottery win) while Tavares is more linked to Dubas (obviously being the GM who led the effort in signing him). I don't know if what Simmons claims is true or if what I said means anything, but if you squint enough that all sort of makes sense.

 

[herman]

Steve Simmons (I know) did claim that the front office was previously split on the decision, with Dubas leaning Tavares, Shanahan leaning Matthews, and Babcock's preference unknown to Simmons.

I actually find this backwards -- I thought for sure Dubas would want Matthews and Shanahan would lean towards Tavares. 

In a way Matthews is more linked to Shanahan (Shanny was the one who came in and tore the franchise down leading to the tank year which led to the lottery win) while Tavares is more linked to Dubas (obviously being the GM who led the effort in signing him). I don't know if what Simmons claims is true or if what I said means anything, but if you squint enough that all sort of makes sense.

This is my read as well. But I was too slow in typing it.

 

[Peter D.]

In a way Matthews is more linked to Shanahan (Shanny was the one who came in and tore the franchise down leading to the tank year which led to the lottery win) while Tavares is more linked to Dubas (obviously being the GM who led the effort in signing him). I don't know if what Simmons claims is true or if what I said means anything, but if you squint enough that all sort of makes sense.

Good point. 

My perspective was that of Dubas being the younger, newer GM type who would want the team to grow with a young captain, whereas Shanahan is a multiple Cup champion who was captained by the ultimate professional in Stevie Y and he sees similar traits in Tavares. 

 

[CarltonTheBear]

My perspective was that of Dubas being the younger, newer GM type who would want the team to grow with a young captain, whereas Shanahan is a multiple Cup champion who was captained by the ultimate professional in Stevie Y and he sees similar traits in Tavares. 

But even Yzerman was named captain at a very young age though and maybe Shanny and him have spoken about how much of a positive impact that had on his career.

 

[Peter D.]

But even Yzerman was named captain at a very young age though and maybe Shanny and him have spoken about how much of a positive impact that had on his career.

Good point again.

I do think Matthews should be given the captaincy for those reasons (former 1st overall pick, franchise player, face of the franchise, it's "his team", etc.), even though he wouldn't be my first or second choice.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I do think Matthews should be given the captaincy for those reasons (former 1st overall pick, franchise player, face of the franchise, it's "his team", etc.), even though he wouldn't be my first or second choice.

Yeah and prior to last week I believed he should and would be captain. But now maybe a kick in the pants like not getting it will be better for him in the long-term. Tough love seemed to work for Kadri.

 

[Bullfrog]

In the end, I think the anointed group will be Rielly, Tavares, Matthews, and Marner. (I know, I'm really going out on a limb here.) We haven't really talked about it, but I'm 100% positive Marner gets an A.

Well we know Tavares and Rielly are locks for 2 of the letters. If Marner gets one then I'd imagine it'd be a part of a home/away split with Matthews. I can't see Marner getting an A over him outright. But I'm guessing Rielly and Matthews will have permanent As.

Can there only be 3 letters?

 

[Bullfrog]

I do think Matthews should be given the captaincy for those reasons (former 1st overall pick, franchise player, face of the franchise, it's "his team", etc.), even though he wouldn't be my first or second choice.

Yeah and prior to last week I believed he should and would be captain. But now maybe a kick in the pants like not getting it will be better for him in the long-term. Tough love seemed to work for Kadri.

I would imagine the stern finger-wagging by Dubas and the embarrassment around how he handled this (and being caught being a d-bag) is tough-love enough.