Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly speaking to the media during a press conference after the end of the 2023-24 NHL season.
Photo credit: Screenshot

This afternoon veteran Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly spoke about his team’s switch of captain from John Tavares to Auston Matthews.

The Toronto Maple Leafs made the announcement this month that they were making a major change. New head coach Craig Berube decided to make Auston Matthews the captain stripping the responsibility from John Tavares.

Since the decision was made the world has not been able to hear from many of the players on the Maple Leafs besides Auston Matthews and John Tavares. That changed today when Morgan Rielly addressed the situation.

Morgan Rielly addresses his close friend John Tavares losing the captaincy

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Morgan Rielly spoke with the media and was asked about the John Tavares situation. He gave a lot of credit to John Tavares for handling the situation with a lot of class.

I think when this came about there were some challenges for him, but, I think he’s handled everything like the class act that he is, Rielly said. I had a chance to speak with him, and the first thing that I felt was, how well he’s handling it.

He continues on and confirms what many people already know about John Tavares. When it comes to hockey and playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs all that truly matters is winning.

His view on things, as this has kinda come about, he’s been outstanding, but that’s no surprise to anyone, he continued. I think it speaks volumes about who John is as a person and where his priorities lie. I think, for him, the only thing that really matters is our team and the results we’re able to get during the season and what’s best for our group.

Despite not being the captain anymore John Tavares will still have plenty of opportunities to impact the Maple Leafs lineup. In every season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, John Tavares has eclipsed the 50-point mark. He will be just 2 seasons removed from his peak season where he had 80 points for the Maple Leafs in 2022-23.

Morgan Rielly’s comments did not end with John Tavares he also had an opportunity to talk about the team’s new captain Auston Matthews as well.

Morgan Rielly comments on Maple Leafs’ new captain Auston Matthews

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During this same interview Morgan Rielly was also asked about the new dynamic under Auston Matthews. Morgan Rielly confirmed this is something Auston Matthews had been working toward and preparing for since he got to Toronto as the top pick in the 2016 NHL Draft.

As a person and a teammate, we have had the opportunity to watch him grow, watch him mature over the last eight or nine years, he said. So you know, I think he’s extremely excited, and I think he’s prepared this role, this next chapter, I think it’s a great opportunity for our team to move forward. So, we’re all very excited for him.

Auston Matthews since being drafted out of the Swiss League in 2016 has been the face of the Toronto Maple Leafs even before he became the captain. His iconic 4 goal debut for the Maple Leafs will go down in history as one of the best debuts of all time.

Now in his prime Auston Matthews has put up 100-point seasons in 2 of the last 3 years. He also was just shy of 70 goals finishing with 69 during his historic 2023-24 campaign. The Maple Leafs will now lean on him to be the driving force for success not only on the ice but in every aspect of the team going forward.