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. James van Riemsdyk is going back to the Metropolitan Division. According to TSN's Chris Johnston, the former Toronto Maple Leafs is signing a one-year deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets worth $900,000. The long-time Toronto Maple Leafs and Philadelphia Flyers forward spent last season with the Boston Bruins where he had 11 goals and 27 assists in 71 games. The 35-year-old had been linked to a potential reunion with the Maple Leafs as recently as a couple of weeks ago as the club was looking to add some depth at left wing. But the Leafs got Max Pacioretty signed to a professional tryout (with an expectation that he has a deal of standard players contract (SPC) agreed upon as stated by his agent Allan Walsh). The Leafs were also able to come to terms with restricted free agent Nick Robertson on a one-year, $875,00. This was after the 23-year-old initially asked to be traded out of Toronto. The Blue Jackets dipped back into free agency after star player Johnny Gaudreau was tragically killed by a suspected drunk driver in August. Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell told reporters he was looking to add players to SPCs and not PTOs indicating they were a couple of forwards short. In 15 seasons with the Flyers, Maple Leafs and Bruins, Van Riemsdyk has 311 goals and 318 assists in 1011 NHL games. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related Topi Niemela and Roni Hirvonen Shine as Maple Leafs Rookies Sweep Canadiens in Prospect Showdown [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/topi-niemela-and-roni-hirvonen-shine-as-maple-leafs-rookies-sweep-canadiens-in-prospect-showdown] Maple Leafs' Fraser Minten Leaves Game 2 of Rookie Prospect Showdown vs. Canadiens Due to Reported 'Precautionary Reasons' [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-fraser-minten-leaves-game-2-of-rookie-prospect-showdown-vs-canadiens-due-to-reported-precautionary-reasons] 'It's Easy To Get Up And Kind Of Be The Enemy Out There': Maple Leafs' Fraser Minten Basks in Villain Role as Club Prepares for Game 2 Against Canadiens in Rookie Prospects Showdown [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/its-easy-to-get-up-and-kind-of-be-the-enemy-out-there-maple-leafs-fraser-minten-basks-in-villain-role-as-club-prepares-for-game-2-against-canadiens-in-rookie-prospects-showdown] News from THN.com Tightening Talent Gap Will Lead To Intense Competition For League's Wild-Card Spots [https://thehockeynews.com/news/tightening-talent-gap-will-lead-to-intense-competition-for-leagues-wild-card-spots] What Sharks' Macklin Celebrini Gains From Living With 'One Of The Best Players To Ever Play' [https://thehockeynews.com/news/what-sharks-macklin-celebrini-gains-from-living-with-one-of-the-best-players-to-ever-play] NHL's Top Issues Facing Vancouver Canucks: The Next Step, Thatcher Demko and Elias Pettersson [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhls-top-issues-facing-vancouver-canucks-the-next-step-thatcher-demko-and-elias-pettersson]
