The Maple Leafs made long-term commitments to Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Is it enough to remake the look and feel of Toronto's defense? The Toronto Maple Leafs have called a news conference for 11 am E.T. on Wednesday. According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Maple Leafs are expected to name Auston Matthews the 26th captain in franchise history. Per Dreger, Toronto’s current captain, John Tavares, was heavily involved in the process with Leafs GM Brad Treliving and supports the change. The Maple Leafs named Tavares captain in 2019 after the club had gone several seasons without after previous captain Dion Phaneuf was traded to the Ottawa Senators [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9T_oz4HNX0[/embed] Matthews is beginning the first season of a four-year extension he signed last year worth $53 million. The 26-year-old set another franchise record last season with 69 goals in 81 games. Tavares is entering the final year of a seven-year deal and is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. The 33-year-old joined the Maple Leafs as a free agent in 2018 and was named captain of Toronto on Oct. 2, 2019. In 440 games with the club, Tavares has 184 goals and 235 assists for 419 points. He also has 11 goals and 11 assists in 24 playoff games with Toronto. More will be revealed on Wednesday as to why the Leafs are making the change. Toronto had made one significant shift this offseason dismissing head coach Sheldon Keefe and installing Craig Berube as a new voice. The shift from Tavares to Matthews is expected to be an extension of that. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related ‘My Hips Haven’t Felt This Good In A Long, Long Time’: Maple Leafs Goaltender Matt Murray on His One-Year ‘Prove It’ Deal and Renewed Optimism After Bilateral Hip Surgery [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/my-hips-havent-felt-this-good-in-a-long-long-time-maple-leafs-goaltender-matt-murray-on-his-one-year-prove-it-deal-and-renewed-optimism-after-bilateral-hip-surgery] 'I Was A Shell Of Myself': Blackhawks Forward Nick Foligno Looks Back on Disappointing 2021 Playoffs Run With Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/i-was-a-shell-of-myself-blackhawks-forward-nick-foligno-looks-back-on-disappointing-2021-playoffs-run-with-maple-leafs] ‘The Fear Of Craig Berube Being Craig Berube’: Former NHL Head Coach Bruce Boudreau Believes the Maple Leafs Will Thrive Under Accountability-Driven Bench Boss [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/the-fear-of-craig-berube-being-craig-berube-former-nhl-head-coach-bruce-boudreau-believes-the-maple-leafs-will-thrive-under-accountability-driven-bench-boss] News from THN.com Olympic Week: Why the Winner of the 4 Nations Face-Off Won't Necessarily Win at the 2026 Olympics [https://thehockeynews.com/news/olympic-week-why-the-winner-of-the-4-nations-face-off-wont-necessarily-win-at-the-2026-olympics] NHL Hot Seat Radar: While Sabres Owner Pegula May Be at the End of His Losing Line, Young Star Dahlin's Spot is Cemented [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-hot-seat-radar-while-sabres-owner-pegula-may-be-at-the-end-of-his-losing-line-young-star-dahlins-spot-is-cemented] NHL Free Agency: A Handful of Needle-Moving RFAs Are Still Waiting [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-free-agency-a-handful-of-needle-moving-rfas-are-still-waiting]
