Leafs to announce captain

[ZBBM]

If there's not an obvious choice that doesn't potentially alienate other players, then I see no reason to not keep going w/o a captain at all.  Has not having one since Phaneuf made one whit of difference on the ice?  I don't think so.

 

[Nik]

If there's not an obvious choice that doesn't potentially alienate other players, then I see no reason to not keep going w/o a captain at all.  Has not having one since Phaneuf made one whit of difference on the ice?  I don't think so.t

If the choice of someone as Captain alienates any of the players to an extent that it negatively impacts their performance then you're right, it doesn't matter if they have a Captain because any team with players like that on it won't win a damn thing regardless.

 

[ZBBM]

If there's not an obvious choice that doesn't potentially alienate other players, then I see no reason to not keep going w/o a captain at all.  Has not having one since Phaneuf made one whit of difference on the ice?  I don't think so.t

If the choice of someone as Captain alienates any of the players to an extent that it negatively impacts their performance then you're right, it doesn't matter if they have a Captain because any team with players like that on it won't win a damn thing regardless.

Yeah but let's be honest: the guys in the running for a letter are all alpha males (and have had others around them affirming that repeatedly from a young age) and one of them has had the C before.  They may be all Good Soldier in public but it will rankle them.  Could it affect their performance?  Indirectly, I think it could.  Team chemistry may be an intangible but it's a real intangible.

 

[Manson]

I don't understand why most of you think Matthews should be captain. Did you forget John Tavares is on your team? I'd imagine Matthews looks to him for leadership not the other way around. Don't confuse the team's captaincy with the team's MVP.

 

[herman]

https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2019/09/27/insider-consensus-leaning-towards-john-tavares-as-next-toronto-maple-leafs-captain/

Everyone got this story, so Leafs front office definitely pushing a narrative out there.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2019/09/27/insider-consensus-leaning-towards-john-tavares-as-next-toronto-maple-leafs-captain/

Everyone got this story, so Leafs front office definitely pushing a narrative out there.

I don't really buy the "it was going to be Tavares all along" thing but yeah I can obviously understand why they'd want that to be the story.

 

[herman]

https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2019/09/27/insider-consensus-leaning-towards-john-tavares-as-next-toronto-maple-leafs-captain/

Everyone got this story, so Leafs front office definitely pushing a narrative out there.

I don't really buy the "it was going to be Tavares all along" thing but yeah I can obviously understand why they'd want that to be the story.

Not listed in the link was Simmons' column with more details about the apparent difference of opinion in the triumvirate.

 

[Nik]

Yeah but let's be honest: the guys in the running for a letter are all alpha males (and have had others around them affirming that repeatedly from a young age) and one of them has had the C before.

I don't think "Alpha Male" is real thing outside of Men's Rights forums and I think there's a large distance between wanting something and pouting like a petulant child because you don't get it. Every hockey team ever has been made up of competitive hockey player types and has named Captains without incident.

 

[ZBBM]

https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2019/09/27/insider-consensus-leaning-towards-john-tavares-as-next-toronto-maple-leafs-captain/

Everyone got this story, so Leafs front office definitely pushing a narrative out there.

I don't really buy the "it was going to be Tavares all along" thing but yeah I can obviously understand why they'd want that to be the story.

For sure.  All this has made it an easy decision for Shanny/Dubas.  They have the perfect anodyne superstar (who probably should have been the choice all along, if he wasn't) who is signed long-term.  And now Matthews has made it easy for them, by eliminating himself.  He can't push any grievance narrative.

 

[ZBBM]

Yeah but let's be honest: the guys in the running for a letter are all alpha males (and have had others around them affirming that repeatedly from a young age) and one of them has had the C before.

I don't think "Alpha Male" is real thing outside of Men's Rights forums and I think there's a large distance between wanting something and pouting like a petulant child because you don't get it. Every hockey team ever has been made up of competitive hockey player types and has named Captains without incident.

I don't agree with your opener but no matter, it's a moot point now that Matthews has made their decision for them.

I imagine Shanahan & Dubas don't care to put up with Captain Underpants memes for the next 5 years.

 

[Nik]

I imagine Shanahan & Dubas don't care to put up with Captain Underpants memes for the next 5 years.

I think it's an even money bet as to whether or not Shanahan knows what a meme is, let alone cares about them.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Yeah but let's be honest: the guys in the running for a letter are all alpha males (and have had others around them affirming that repeatedly from a young age) and one of them has had the C before.

I don't think "Alpha Male" is real thing outside of Men's Rights forums and I think there's a large distance between wanting something and pouting like a petulant child because you don't get it. Every hockey team ever has been made up of competitive hockey player types and has named Captains without incident.

I don't agree with your opener but no matter, it's a moot point now that Matthews has made their decision for them.

I imagine Shanahan & Dubas don't care to put up with Captain Underpants memes for the next 5 years.

This incident won't change anything. Management and the players would already know who the choice was before the incident, so if it was Matthews, like no one is suggesting, they won't give it to someone else. There won't be any well here you go JT, Matthews f'd up so you get it now. Wouldn't that make him feel all kinds of special, being 2nd choice?

 

[Nik]

Wouldn't that make him feel all kinds of special, being 2nd choice?

I don't know where the idea that the point of naming a captain is to make anyone feel special came from but I think Tavares, if he's the mature and level-headed guy people are claiming, would understand how circumstances can change and require people to rethink decisions.

 

[Bullfrog]

Agreed, GT. Despite the media rhetoric, I don't think this incident changes much of anything. It'll blow over very quickly.

 

[Zee]

Funny captain story from Dave Poulin. They were all expected to name Sittler captain in Philly, had some luncheon and even had on the program that a captain would be named at said luncheon. Luncheon happens, no captain announcement. Then later it comes out Sittler was traded from Philly to Detroit, Bobby Clarke and Mike Keenan call Poulin into the office two days before season start and tell him he's the captain.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Funny captain story from Dave Poulin. They were all expected to name Sittler captain in Philly, had some luncheon and even had on the program that a captain would be named at said luncheon. Luncheon happens, no captain announcement. Then later it comes out Sittler was traded from Philly to Detroit, Bobby Clarke and Mike Keenan call Poulin into the office two days before season start and tell him he's the captain.

Was a funny story.

 

[Zee]

To heck with this captain thing, they're all leaders in their own right.  Just put all 23 names in a hat and have Babcock pull a name:

"Ok boys, our new captain is...." *checks paper* "..Martin Marincin..."
*Babcock wipes sweat off his forehead*

 

[hockeyfan1]

To heck with this captain thing, they're all leaders in their own right.  Just put all 23 names in a hat and have Babcock pull a name:

"Ok boys, our new captain is...." *checks paper* "..Martin Marincin..."
*Babcock wipes sweat off his forehead*

Imagine that.  LOL. 

 

[Bender]

https://theleafsnation.com/2019/09/27/friedman-leafs-decided-on-tavares-a-few-days-ago-for-captaincy/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

[Zee]

I don't know if Paul Hendrick knows anything (although I guess he's an MLSE employee) but yesterday he mentioned on Twitter the over/under for Leafs naming a captain was December.  Maybe this Matthews thing is making them delay the announcement until things mostly blow over?  We'll see I guess.  I would have thought today was the day.