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. In an unexpected collaboration, Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews and Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid took to the ice together at SAP Garden in Munich, Germany, on Wednesday. The pair were filmed skating together, with Matthews slinging a cross-ice pass to the stick of McDavid, who can be seen shooting on EHC Red Bull München goaltender, Christopher Kolarz. The facility is known for hosting EHC Red Bull München games throughout the season. Kolarz also shared an image on his Instagram account [https://www.instagram.com/p/C_Lqs6NNZfT/], featuring himself with Matthews and McDavid after their practice session. In the photo, the two are seen wearing their respective NHL team practice uniforms. [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C_Lqs6NNZfT[/embed] The content, which highlights the collaboration between the two NHL stars, has further fueled speculation about how their time together might influence future partnerships down the road. NHL fans had a glimpse of that in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, where the two represented ‘Team North America,’ captained by McDavid. Matthews recently joined the captaincy club after being named the 26th captain in Maple Leafs history on Aug. 14, taking over the top leadership role from teammate John Tavares. The 26-year-old is coming off a career-high 69-goal season, winning his third Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy, before adding 38 assists, totaling 107 points in the regular season. As the 2024-25 season soon gets underway, the forward is entering the first year of a four-year, $53 million contract he signed in August 2023. The contract carries an average annual value (AAV) of $13.25 million – the highest AAV in the NHL for the upcoming season. The decision for both stars to train together at this time was unexpected, as they typically focus on their own team preparations closer to the season. While the reason for their Munich meetup remains unclear, both players are clearly using this time to fine-tune their skills in anticipation of the 2024-25 NHL season. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews Led NHL in Combined Posts and Crossbars Hit During 2023-24 Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-auston-matthews-led-nhl-in-combined-posts-and-crossbars-hit-during-2023-24-season] 'They Hate Me, But They Always End With I Want You To Be A Leaf One Day': Panthers Forward Sam Bennett Says Maple Leafs Fans Don't Let Him Forget About 2023 Series Against Toronto [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/they-hate-me-but-they-always-end-with-i-want-you-to-be-a-leaf-one-day-panthers-forward-sam-bennett-says-maple-leafs-fans-dont-let-him-forget-about-2023-series-against-toronto] 'He Didn't Actually Sign': Maple Leafs and Jani Hakanpaa Reportedly at Odds Over Opinion of Knee Injury Sustained With Stars Last Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/he-didnt-actually-sign-maple-leafs-and-jani-hakanpaa-reportedly-at-odds-over-opinion-of-knee-injury-sustained-with-stars-last-season] News from THN.com NHL's Top Issues Facing the L.A. Kings: Byfield's Growth, Kuemper's Impact and GM's Risk [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhls-top-issues-facing-the-l-a-kings-byfields-growth-kuempers-impact-and-gms-risk] Screen Shots: Jets' Vintage Jersey Love, NHL Labor Uncertainty, And Bruins An Underdog Vs. Leafs? [https://thehockeynews.com/news/screen-shots-jets-vintage-jersey-love-nhl-labor-uncertainty-and-bruins-an-underdog-vs-leafs] NHL Expansion: The Very Good Case for Why Toronto Should Get a Second Team [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-expansion-the-very-good-case-for-why-toronto-should-get-a-second-team]
