The Leafs usually operate within a group of leaders. You hear about it all the time that when there is a message that needs to be communicated throughout the club, at times it is first discussed with the 'leadership group', which of course Matthews already a part of.
So what might really change?
Former Maple Leafs forward and NHL Network analyst Mike Johnson gave his perspective on Monday.
"The one element that could change—maybe for the better if you can imagine that for Auston Matthews, I don’t know how much better Auston Matthews can get—maybe being better in the room is that he is so respectful of older players older players, veterans, guys who've been there before, John Tavares, that maybe he bit his tongue on occasion or was quieter on occasion, deferring to Tavares and his leadership,' Johnson said. "Now there will be no deferential treatment because he is the guy that is supposed to stand up and say whatever he feels should be said in that moment. That might be the only difference in the room."
Johnson spent four seasons on the Leafs playing under hockey hall of famer Mats Sundin and can certainly relate to when those moments are called for.
Sundin was known to be a quieter captain but in the times he did spoke up, it caught the attention of the club.
The Maple Leafs appear to be running it back with their current core of players barring any change between now and when training camp opens up in mid September. Outside of changing the players, the voices in the room have changed now. Craig Berube replaced Sheldon Keefe as head coach and now Matthews is captain. Those are the two most prominent locker room voices on any team. The question that remains for the Leafs, is will that be enough for meaningful results this upcoming season.
