'I Haven't Been Around a More Prepared Athlete': The Hard Part Begins for Matthews as Maple Leafs Captain

Everyone who spoke at Wednesday's press conference announcing Auston Matthews as the 26th captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs said all the right things.

Matthews, now-former captain John Tavares, and GM Brad Treliving referenced the organization's history, the honor of wearing the ‘C’ in Toronto and the goals they have with their re-jigged leadership group. 

There was no sense that Tavares was summarily “stripped” of the captaincy. It was all about the evolution of Matthews and the team around him and the focus everyone involved had on bringing a Stanley Cup to Leafs fans. Everyone was excited about the new era while confirming Matthews was the right man for the job.

“When Brad Treliving and I met at the end of this past season and discussed ways for our team to take the next step, we both agreed that Auston is ready and it’s his time to lead,” Tavares said. “It’s been an incredible honor to serve as captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs these past five seasons. Looking forward, I will do everything to support Auston as we continue our pursuit of the Stanley Cup.”

“I haven’t been around a more prepared athlete in my life,” Treliving added of Matthews.

Tavares was the first to speak Wednesday, noting he initiated discussions with Treliving about a week before talking to Matthews directly about making the switch. Meanwhile, Matthews spoke of getting chills when it was clear he would be promoted from an alternate captaincy – which he’d held since 2019-20 – to being Leafs captain. And if any Leafs supporter had anxieties about Matthews’ long-term commitment to the organization, Matthews laid them to rest.

“That’s the goal, is to be a Leaf for life.” Matthews said Wednesday. “I’ve loved every minute of being a Toronto Maple Leaf.”

Also in attendance at the press conference were Matthews’ teammates and fellow alternate captains Mitch Marner and Morgan Rielly, retired Leafs legends Doug Gilmour and Wendel Clark, new coach Craig Berube, team president Brendan Shanahan and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Keith Pelley. 

It was a massive show of support for the start of Matthews’ leadership tenure, and it demonstrated to the public that Matthews was ready, willing and able to take the next step in his dazzling NHL career and assume control of the dressing room.

The 26-year-old Matthews has proven he’s the best scorer on the planet at present, winning three Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophies, as well as a Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player and a Calder Trophy as the league’s best rookie. 

Playoff success has been harder to come by, but that’s hardly Matthews’ fault. He’s fought through injuries, fatigue and being the primary focus of every opponent’s defensive attack to establish himself as a true threat at both ends of the ice. And quietly, in his own way, Matthews has been preparing for this new assignment.

Now comes the hard part: converting all the kind words we heard Wednesday into high-impact team performances during crucial games.

Leafs brass and ownership will continue to support Matthews fully, but without playoff wins, he’ll be under an increasingly hot glare courtesy of the Toronto media and a fan base that’s beyond tired of words and not actions.

If Matthews can steer the Maple Leafs to a Cup win, he’ll have a statue of himself on Legend’s Row outside Scotiabank Arena. If he can’t, that statue might still be coming, but the aura of failure will haunt him, as it’s haunted so many Leafs captains before him. It won’t be long until the Leafs have gone a full six decades without a Cup win, but he’s got the chance to be judged by his actions in public and his leadership in private.

That ultimate judgment of him is still a ways off, of course. But on Wednesday, the aura was overwhelmingly positive. Tavares showed the world what proactive leadership and sacrifice looked like. And Matthews put the organization on notice – this is truly and officially his team now. That should give Leafs fans great comfort and the belief that better days are coming and coming soon.

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