The Toronto Maple Leafs have been one of the strongest teams in the NHL for the past eight years, but they haven’t had much success in the postseason. Top players like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nielunder have all risen to superstardom, but none of it has translated into success for the Maple Leafs when it matters most.
The lack of success in Toronto has raised many questions about the future of the Maple Leafs’ biggest names, with Marner and former captain John Tavares both entering the final years of their contracts and making them prime players for the Maple Leafs to move on.
While his future in Toronto is uncertain, the Maple Leafs are hopeful their new captain will stick around for the long term.
The Maple Leafs have officially named Matthews the franchise’s 26th captain, but that doesn’t necessarily guarantee him a lifetime commitment.
Over the NHL’s 100-year history, big-name players have moved around through trades and free agency, but in recent years there has been a growing trend for top players to spend their entire careers with one team.
Matthews will be hoping he can add to the rare list of stars who have spent their entire careers with one team, and his new leadership role could help him do so.
“That’s the goal, to be a Leafs member for the rest of my life,” Matthews said as he accepted the captaincy. “To win here with my teammates, for this city. That’s something I’ll always have in the back of my mind.”
Matthews hopes to lead the Maple Leafs to their first Stanley Cup victory since 1967. He is just beginning a new four-year contract that makes him the league’s highest-paid player, but he expects there’s more to come in Toronto after the deal.
“We just have to take it one day at a time,” Matthews said. “And hopefully, that’s what happens.”
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