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. There were rumblings last week that the Toronto Maple Leafs were among teams looking into free agent forward Max Pacioretty. Those rumblings are getting a bit louder. TSN's Chris Johnston was a guest on 'Frist Up' with hosts Aaron Korolnek and Carlo Colaiacovo [https://post.futurimedia.com/chumam/playlist/listen-51719.html] and addressed the latest on Toronto's search. "Certainly someone that the Leafs have some interest in, that they've looked at and really I think that Max has to make a decision for himself, because it's not just the Leafs that have knocked on his door," Johnston said. "Toronto certainly is not his only option so we'll just have to see. It's not as though he's got tons of them, but as the summer is winding to a close here, he's in a position where I think he's going to be able to sign a contract rather than a tryout and the Leafs are among the teams, I think, with some interest there." Last week, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that the Leafs were looking to bolster their depth at the left-wing position. The 35-year-old had four goals and 19 assists in 47 regular season games with the Washington Capitals last season. He had an assist in four playoff games when the Capitals were swept in the first round by the New York Rangers. He missed the first half of the season as he recovered from his second torn achilles injury. According to PuckPedia.com [https://puckpedia.com/team/toronto-maple-leafs], the Leafs have just over $1.275 million in salary cap space. The Leafs are particularly thin at the position. Restricted free agent forward Nick Robertson has reportedly expressed a desire to be traded and doesn't intend to sign a new contract with the Leafs. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related 'Framed My Jersey': Matthew Knies Playfully Trolls Maple Leafs Prospect Easton Cowan's Instagram Post [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/framed-my-jersey-matthew-knies-playfully-trolls-maple-leafs-prospect-easton-cowans-instagram-post] 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] 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]
