The Toronto Maple Leafs are making a captaincy change. The Hockey News breaks down why Auston Matthews will become the 26th captain in franchise history. Matthew Knies appeared in the comment of Easton Cowan's latest Instagram post. Cowan posted a carousel of photos to Instagram on Monday evening, highlighting his summer in his hometown of Strathroy, Ontario, just west of London, Ontario. "The town of strath vegas ," Cowan wrote as the caption. The first photo features Cowan playing pool with a #23 Maple Leafs jersey, likely the one he was given when he was drafted by Toronto, framed in the background. Shortly after the 19-year-old posted the photos, Knies, who wears #23 with the Maple Leafs, decided to have fun in the comments. "Framed my jersey ," Knies commented. This isn't the first time Knies has joked about people having Maple Leafs jerseys with the #23. When Shane Doan was hired as the special advisor to Toronto GM Brad Treliving, Knies, who has a close relationship with Doan, gifted the former player a #23 jersey, representing the year the Doan joined the organization. "Everyone's getting 23 jerseys right now," Knies told Doan when he gifted him the jersey, according to Sportsnet's Luke Fox [https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/how-shane-doan-can-help-maple-leafs-sign-auston-matthews/]. The 21-year-old forward joined the Maple Leafs after the University of Minnesota's National Championship loss to Quinnipiac. Knies scored 15 goals and 20 assists in his rookie season which spanned 80 games. He was seventh among all NHL rookies in scoring. Cowan aims to make the Maple Leafs out of training camp this October. After a strong season, which saw him the London Knights' point streak record and make Team Canada's World Juniors team, the forward is ready to take the next step in his development. The forward can play for the Maple Leafs in the NHL or back in the OHL with the Knights next season. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related Oilers' Leon Draisaitl Surpasses Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews as NHL's Highest Paid Player with Landmark Deal [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/oilers-leon-draisaitl-surpasses-maple-leafs-auston-matthews-as-nhls-highest-paid-player-with-landmark-deal] Maple Leafs Prospect Fraser Minten Skates at Saskatoon Blades' Training Camp Ahead of First Pro Season with Toronto [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-prospect-fraser-minten-skates-at-saskatoon-blades-training-camp-ahead-of-first-pro-season-with-toronto] 'It’s Been Difficult To Process This Devastating Tragedy': John Tavares Shares Heartfelt Message on the Passing of Johnny Gaudreau and Brother Matthew [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/its-been-difficult-to-process-this-devastating-tragedy-john-tavares-shares-heartfelt-message-on-the-passing-of-johnny-gaudreau-and-brother-matthe] News from THN.com Opinion: Bruins Fans Should Feel Fortunate GM Sweeney Is On Case In Swayman Contract Saga [https://thehockeynews.com/news/opinion-the-bruins-should-feel-fortunate-gm-sweeney-is-handling-swaymans-contract-saga] The Wraparound Show: Remembering Johnny Gaudreau [https://thehockeynews.com/podcast/the-wraparound-show-remembering-johnny-gaudreau] NHL Expansion: Kansas City, Cincinnati and Omaha Long Shots To Land a Team [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-expansion-kansas-city-cincinnati-and-omaha-long-shots-to-land-a-team]
