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 added to their coaching staff with Rich Clune's departure to the Anaheim Ducks. Toronto has hired Steve Sullivan as an assistant to Marlies head coach John Gruden. He joins a coaching staff which features assistant Michael Dyck, goalie coach Hannu Toivonen, and video coach Troy Paquette. The move comes two months after Clune left the organization for a job in the NHL as an assistant coach with Anaheim. Before Clune joined the Marlies, Toronto had Eric Wellwood — a former player and head coach of the ECHL's Newfoundland Growlers — as an assistant coach. Wellwood went on medical leave in October [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/marlies-assistant-coach-eric-wellwood-on-medical-leave-for-indefinite-amount-of-time] and didn't return to the team, so Clune joined the coaching staff. The former Growlers head coach wasn't mentioned in the Marlies' press release and isn't listed as an assistant with the team, meaning he's no longer with the organization. Sullivan joins the Marlies after four years as an assistant general manager of the Arizona Coyotes (2017-2021), managing the AHL's Tucson Roadrunners. Before that, the 50-year-old was a part of the Coyotes' development department and was the director during the 2016-17 season. The former player spent part of four seasons in the Maple Leafs organization, playing 154 games and scoring 35 goals and 50 assists with the club from 1997 to 1999. Sullivan also played for the Nashville Predators, Chicago Blackhawks, New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins, and, at the time, Phoenix Coyotes. He finished his NHL career with 290 goals and 457 assists in 1011 regular season games. Sullivan also won a Calder Cup with the Albany River Rats in 1995. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews and Edmonton Oilers Star Connor McDavid Hit the Ice Together in Munich Ahead of 2024-25 Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-auston-matthews-and-edmonton-oilers-star-connor-mcdavid-hit-the-ice-together-in-munich-ahead-of-2024-25-season] Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews Led NHL in Combined Posts and Crossbars Hit During 2023-24 Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-auston-matthews-led-nhl-in-combined-posts-and-crossbars-hit-during-2023-24-season] 'They Hate Me, But They Always End With I Want You To Be A Leaf One Day': Panthers Forward Sam Bennett Says Maple Leafs Fans Don't Let Him Forget About 2023 Series Against Toronto [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/they-hate-me-but-they-always-end-with-i-want-you-to-be-a-leaf-one-day-panthers-forward-sam-bennett-says-maple-leafs-fans-dont-let-him-forget-about-2023-series-against-toronto] News from THN.com NHL's Top Issues Facing the L.A. Kings: Byfield's Growth, Kuemper's Impact and GM's Risk [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhls-top-issues-facing-the-l-a-kings-byfields-growth-kuempers-impact-and-gms-risk] Screen Shots: Jets' Vintage Jersey Love, NHL Labor Uncertainty, And Bruins An Underdog Vs. Leafs? [https://thehockeynews.com/news/screen-shots-jets-vintage-jersey-love-nhl-labor-uncertainty-and-bruins-an-underdog-vs-leafs] NHL Expansion: The Very Good Case for Why Toronto Should Get a Second Team [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-expansion-the-very-good-case-for-why-toronto-should-get-a-second-team]
