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. The offseason continues for the Toronto Maple Leafs. When players aren't in the gym or hitting the ice, they've been taking a bit of a vacation and Mitch Marner is no exception. The Maple Leafs star was spotted at the Minnesota State Fair hanging out with former teammate and Detroit Red Wings defenseman Justin Holl. Marner reposted Holl's partner Audrey's posting on her Instagram account of the two coming away as big winners with stuffed animals in tow. Mitch Marner and Justin Holl at Minnesota State Fair [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA4ODA3MDUxNDQ1NDEzMDM3/img_6750.jpg] Mitch Marner and Justin Holl at Minnesota State Fair Marner and Holl both started their tenures in the Leafs organization around the same time. Holl, initially on an AHL-only deal, made his Toronto Marlies debut during the 2015-16 season signing shortly after the Maple Leafs drafted Marner with the fourth overall pick in the 2015 Draft. Holl finally got his chance with the Leafs, playing two games during the 2017-18 season before he eventually became an everyday player with the big club between the 2019-20 and 2022-23 seasons. Marner and Holl lived together during the 2020-21 NHL season and the two have vacationed together. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qvMZqHOZJo[/embed] On July 1, 2023, Holl signed a three-year, $10.2 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings. Holl's first season with the Red Wings could be described as challenging after the 32-year-old was limited to just 38 games. Outside of missing a few days with an undisclosed injury, Holl was a healthy scratch for much of the year. There had been some talk the Red Wings were possibly looking to move on from Holl's contract this season but he remains in Detroit for now. Holl is from Tonka Bya As for Marner, he's been the talk of the Leafs all summer with the forward eligible to sign a contract extension. He has one year remaining on a deal that carries a salary cap hit of $10,903,000. Earlier in the week, Marner and teammate Max Domi were team captains for the Hockey Night in Brampton event which took place on Thursday. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related New Maple Leafs Captain Auston Matthews, John Tavares and Prospects Hit the Ice With Muskoka Hockey Ahead of Training Camp [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/new-maple-leafs-captain-auston-matthews-john-tavares-and-prospects-hit-the-ice-with-muskoka-hockey-ahead-of-training-camp] Counting Down the Top 10 Maple Leafs Prospects in 2024: No. 1 - Easton Cowan [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/counting-down-the-top-10-maple-leafs-prospects-in-2024-no-1-easton-cowan] Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews Ranks Third in NHL Network's Top Centers List [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-auston-matthews-ranks-third-in-nhl-networks-top-centers-list] News from THN.com NHL's Top Issues Facing the Dallas Stars: Cup Final Hopes, Replacing Pavelski and Stankoven [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhls-top-issues-facing-the-dallas-stars-cup-final-hopes-replacing-pavelski-and-stankoven] NHL's Top Issues Facing the Carolina Hurricanes: New Defense Corps, Goalie Tandem and Jarvis [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhls-top-issues-facing-the-carolina-hurricanes-new-defense-corps-goalie-tandem-and-jarvis] Five NHL Destinations for Predators' Yaroslav Askarov: Goalie Reportedly Requests Trade [https://thehockeynews.com/news/five-nhl-destinations-for-predators-yaroslav-askarov-goalie-reportedly-requests-trade]
