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The Litmus Test: Matthews with the C

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meefer

meefer

Registered User
Jun 9, 2015
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Bangkok
Like others, I'm disliking this team's efforts this year in ways that make my blood boil. The player's efforts have been totally inadequate, save for a few. And while not an indictment against John Tavares, who I think has been one of the team's better players, something has to change. I think giving Matthews the C might be the kick in the ass the players need, and more importantly, it will give management a chance to see what Auston's future might be. Given his importance to the Leafs I want to know what he is capable of doing in bringing this team together. I want to know how he responds to the challenge. I want to know whether he has the stones to challenge those not bringing it. I want to know if he can raise to this occasion and put the team ahead of friendships.

I'm a fan of John Tavares, and I think he does his best to lead by example, and I'm sure he's a mentor to the young players coming in. But, he's not proved to be the spark that ignites fire in this club. Is Matthews? Perhaps yes, perhaps no, but I think that by giving him this responsibility we will see how he responds, giving management a better view of how to proceed with his next contract, and we'll see how his fellow players respond to his direction of leadership, if he is willing to accept it. While it might be a slap in the face to Tavares, I think he's a pro and will continue to play to the best of his abilities. It might also make a trade more palatable for JT if management were to pursue that direction. I'd want to keep him, but that's because I'm a fan.

Dubas is in a terrible place right now with respect to making a trade that isn't to our favor. Other teams would hold his feet to the fire. Kicking Keefe to the ground would only prove that the players control the room. Save ownership bailing on the 'Shanaplan' and getting rid of the lot, change has to occur in the room. We know 34 is a heck of a player, I'd like to know if he can lead. You've got 70 odd games to find out before a decision has to be made on his next contract. Give him the C for Wednesday night's game and let's see what it does, let's see if he is what we've all hoped he'd become.
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Will AM being made captain prevent Holl from making boneheaded plays? Or prevent Engvall from egregious errors? Or prevent Kerfoot from taking a stupid penalty? Or stop Marner from displaying immature behaviour? Or make the bottom 6 play like they give a crap?

The problems on this team run deeper than who is captain. An inability to learn from previous mistakes is the largest among them. The time for Matthews to be given the captainship was 4 years ago, but he was too busy pulling his pants down in front of a female security guard. We need changes, but this one would be lowest in priority imo.
 
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They have a vanilla roster that is playing uninspired hockey. JT is supposedly a 'quiet leader' but quite frankly his track record speaks for itself, he's an unsuccessful/unproven leader. The Islanders did nothing in the playoffs in his entire career with them, only after he signed in Toronto did they advance past the first round.

Same thing is happening here. I don't know if AM is the answer to the Captaincy but I know JT ain't it. He's usually sitting at the bench, completely silent, staring into the void while his face twitches uncontrollably. I mean, has he been tested for possible disorders?
 
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They're slumping and they should be much better than their recent play. I'd try anything to snap them out of this. Sure why not give Matthews the C. and maybe trade marner while were at it.,...
 
Larcos_Unal said:
They have a vanilla roster that is playing uninspired hockey. JT is supposedly a 'quiet leader' but quite frankly his track record speaks for itself, he's an unsuccessful/unproven leader. The Islanders did nothing in the playoffs in his entire career with them, only after he signed in Toronto did they advance past the first round.

Same thing is happening here. I don't know if AM is the answer to the Captaincy but I know JT ain't it. He's usually sitting at the bench, completely silent, staring into the void while his face twitches uncontrollably. I mean, has he been tested for possible disorders?
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baby-facepalm.gif


fancy lad said:
They're slumping and they should be much better than their recent play. I'd try anything to snap them out of this. Sure why not give Matthews the C. and maybe trade marner while were at it.,...
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Trading Marner is possibly the dumbest thing the Leafs can do
 
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Larcos_Unal said:
The Islanders did nothing in the playoffs in his entire career with them, only after he signed in Toronto did they advance past the first round.
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They advanced past the 1st round while Tavares was there. Believe he even scored the game tying goal in game 6 in the last minute, then the double overtime winner to advance.
 
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Isaac Nootin said:
They advanced past the 1st round while Tavares was there. Believe he even scored the game tying goal in game 6 in the last minute, then the double overtime winner to advance.
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You are correct he got the Islanders to the playoffs 3 times in 9 years. One of the years he got past the 1st round...his only time out of the 1st round in his 13 full seasons. Maybe he's not that great a leader?? ;)

1667308675027.png
 
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Giving Matthews the C is something I want to see happen as a matter of course but to do it right now in a 4x game losing streak and meltdown would be the epitome of a three ring circus. No.
 
If you moved any of the 50 guys under contract with the Leafs to a contender, how many could contribute to a Cup win? Maybe 5? Matthews, Marner, Brodie, Kampf, Gio as rotating 7D.

The problem isn’t who wears the C.
 
This franchise garnered three straight playoff berths without an officially named captain. Quite incredibly, VGK were three wins away from hoisting the Cup without one. Tavares signing here for the max term available to him might have helped; his previous experience as captain might have also helped. Change the 'C' now and it will likely provide the fodder for yet another story regarding the team. Would it all be worth it? I'm not overly convinced.
 
Darcy Tucker said:
You're right. But it's something you can do to try and shake things up and change the optics.

It's free too.:popcorn:
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It will cost you if you then find it necessary to repeat the precedent of stripping C's to shake things up. May as well pack his bags for him when his contract is up.
 
I'm really surprised that people believe a Letter on a jersey somehow affects the attitude or who the real leaders are on the team. you don't need a letter on the jersey to lead by example or to take a leadership role within the team, look at Spezza last year. the letter is only really there to talk to ref's.
 
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To those hoping AM re-signs, effectively saying ‘this is your team’ I’d like to have an idea as to what the total package is. To those saying the C means 'f' all, I'd suggest looking at the list of players who wore the C for past Stanley Cup champions. It's an impressive group, and one of the defining characteristics those people shared is commonly referred to as 'leadership qualities'. If I'm going to try to get AM's signature on the next contract, I want to know if he has that quality. I want to know if he'll fight hard til the end. The Bolts series was a step in the right direction, but I want more. Otherwise, I see him as a great goal scorer, not someone who is going to lead us to where we want to be.
 
meefer said:
Like others, I'm disliking this team's efforts this year in ways that make my blood boil. The player's efforts have been totally inadequate, save for a few. And while not an indictment against John Tavares, who I think has been one of the team's better players, something has to change. I think giving Matthews the C might be the kick in the ass the players need, and more importantly, it will give management a chance to see what Auston's future might be. Given his importance to the Leafs I want to know what he is capable of doing in bringing this team together. I want to know how he responds to the challenge. I want to know whether he has the stones to challenge those not bringing it. I want to know if he can raise to this occasion and put the team ahead of friendships.

I'm a fan of John Tavares, and I think he does his best to lead by example, and I'm sure he's a mentor to the young players coming in. But, he's not proved to be the spark that ignites fire in this club. Is Matthews? Perhaps yes, perhaps no, but I think that by giving him this responsibility we will see how he responds, giving management a better view of how to proceed with his next contract, and we'll see how his fellow players respond to his direction of leadership, if he is willing to accept it. While it might be a slap in the face to Tavares, I think he's a pro and will continue to play to the best of his abilities. It might also make a trade more palatable for JT if management were to pursue that direction. I'd want to keep him, but that's because I'm a fan.

Dubas is in a terrible place right now with respect to making a trade that isn't to our favor. Other teams would hold his feet to the fire. Kicking Keefe to the ground would only prove that the players control the room. Save ownership bailing on the 'Shanaplan' and getting rid of the lot, change has to occur in the room. We know 34 is a heck of a player, I'd like to know if he can lead. You've got 70 odd games to find out before a decision has to be made on his next contract. Give him the C for Wednesday night's game and let's see what it does, let's see if he is what we've all hoped he'd become.
Click to expand...


Stupid idea.

First, you do not embarrass a player like JT by taking away the captaincy.

Second, Matthews has never been his team's captain at any level he has played at - not once. But you want him to take over the captaincy of one of the most famous franchises in hockey when they are struggling, and when he is personally struggling?

Yeah, real genius idea.
 
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colchar said:
Stupid idea.

First, you do not embarrass a player like JT by taking away the captaincy.

Second, Matthews has never been his team's captain at any level he has played at - not once. But you want him to take over the captaincy of one of the most famous franchises in hockey when they are struggling, and when he is personally struggling?

Yeah, real genius idea.
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To add….the core players need less pressure now so that their game can be more focused. JT can handle the “C”. I think the boys would benefit more from a good bar fight right now than changes on the jerseys.
 
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Gordy Elbows said:
To add….the core players need less pressure now so that their game can be more focused. JT can handle the “C”. I think the boys would benefit more from a good bar fight right now than changes on the jerseys.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately that type of team building is non existent in sport any more.
They went golfing instead :laugh:
 
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