Former Leafs GM calls out current leadership group, brings up interesting captaincy discussion

For the Toronto Maple Leafs, one key aspect missing from their team this year is leadership. With the team stuck in the weeds and looking completely lost on a nightly basis, they need their veterans to step up, but more importantly, their captain.

Many questioned whether or not Auston Matthews should have been named the team's captain after John Tavares wore the C for his 2nd through 6th years in Toronto. However, after signing 4-year extension worth $13.25M per season, the Leafs transitioned to Matthews, and to his credit, Tavares was all class about it.

With the Leafs now playing some of their least inspired hockey in a decade, is it time to revisit that decision? Former Leafs GM Gord Stellick believes so, claiming that your best player doesn't always have to be your leader, and that things have changed since the transition.

Where Stellick might have bit off more than he can chew is when he said he felt that Morgan Rielly should have been named captain instead. Given that Tavares' contract situation was a bit cloudy at the time, it made sense why they made the change, but looking back at it now, it was definitely a mistake.

Tavares is in a class of his own when it comes to leading by example, and Rielly, like Matthews, hasn't shown he can be the alpha of the team, despite being the longest tenured Maple Leaf.

However, what's done is done, and the onus is now on the current leadership group, which is anchored by Matthews.

Tavares is still a major piece of the puzzle and his play on the ice this year has risen to new heights. He can't do this alone and will need the help of his captain and fellow alternates and assistants to pick up the slack and get this team on track before the wheels completely fall off.

In other words, Tavares might have to act as the de facto captain. but without the C stitched on his chest.