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 Toronto Marlies have signed five more players ahead of the 2024-25 season. The organization announced the re-signings of Robert Mastrosimone, Zach Solow, Tommy Miller, and Matteo Pietroniro to AHL contracts. Toronto also signed Ryan McCleary to a one-year AHL deal. Mastrosimone and McCleary are participating in the Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens Prospect Showdown at the Bell Center this weekend. Mastrosimone made his AHL debut last season, playing 45 games and scoring four goals and 11 assists for 15 points. Solow played 66 games with the Marlies last year and scored 26 points (11 goals and 15 assists). Miller and Pietroniro were major parts of the Marlies' blue line last season. Miller had one goal and four assists for five points while being one of the team's top shutdown defensemen last year. Pietroniro had two goals and seven assists for nine points in 40 games. McCleary, a right-shot defenseman, who spent last year with the WHL's Swift Current Broncos, scored 11 goals and 25 assists for 36 points in 56 games. The Pittsburgh Penguins selected him in the seventh round (194th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related Why the Maple Leafs Are Bringing in Max Pacioretty For a Professional Tryout [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/why-the-maple-leafs-are-bringing-in-max-pacioretty-for-a-professional-tryout] ‘As Far As What He Can Expect, It’s Going To Be So Much Fun’: Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews on Macklin Celebrini Living with Joe Thornton, Playing Tennis with Steve Nash, and More From the Captain’s Stop at the NHL’s Player Media Tour [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/as-far-as-what-he-can-expect-its-going-to-be-so-much-fun-maple-leafs-auston-matthews-on-macklin-celebrini-living-with-joe-thornton-playing-tennis-with-steve-nash-and-more-from-the-captains-stop-at-the-nhls-player-media-tour] ‘This Might Have Been His Best Offseason Yet’: Why Trainer Trevor Williamson believes Prospect Easton Cowan is Ready for the Next Step with Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/this-might-have-been-his-best-offseason-yet-why-trainer-trevor-williamson-believes-prospect-easton-cowan-is-ready-for-the-next-step-with-maple-leafs] News from THN.com Eight More NHL Goalies with New Creative Masks Ahead of the 2024-25 Season [https://thehockeynews.com/news/eight-more-nhl-goalies-with-new-creative-masks-ahead-of-the-2024-25-season] 'Universally Adored': Blue Jackets Players, GM Express Grief At Loss of Johnny Gaudreau, Brother [https://thehockeynews.com/news/universally-adored-blue-jackets-players-gm-express-grief-at-loss-of-johnny-gaudreau-brother] 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]
