From the moment John Tavares signed with the Maple Leafs in 2018, he knew he would eventually play second fiddle to Auston Matthews.
It happened quickly on the ice. Matthews was the first-line centre, Tavares the second-line centre. And Tavares, who became the Leafs captain in 2019, understood he would eventually cede that role to Matthews.
That happened Wednesday, when Tavares handed Matthews his No. 34 jersey with the C on it.
“You’re talking about one of the best players in the game of hockey,” Tavares said. “His growth … has been incredible. It’s amazing how he pushes the team, a lot of times without even himself realizing it.
“You can just tell by the way he inspires others, with his talent, his work ethic, and just being so grounded, just being one of the guys every single day. But the commitment he’s shown to the team, to the game, the drive to win, is remarkable. And now, with him having this honour and responsibility, I think it really gives him the chance to spread his wings and grow.”
Even with Mitch Marner and Morgan Rielly taking in a packed-house event at Real Sports, it has been clear that Matthews — the elite goal-scorer from Scottsdale, Ariz., who is rewriting the team’s record book — is truly the face of the franchise.
“It’s just an exciting day to be a Maple Leaf, an exciting day to be a Maple Leaf fan,” Marner said. “We’re lucky to have him on our team.”
The first pick of the 2016 NHL draft, Matthews already has a Hart Memorial Trophy, a Ted Lindsay Award, a Calder Memorial Trophy and three Rocket Richard trophies. He is starting the first year of a four-year, $53-million (U.S.) contract that carries a league-high cap hit of $13.25 million a year.
He is third in career goals (365) with the Leafs and sixth in points (649) and scoring at a rate that could see him first in goals next season and in points by the end of his contract. Mats Sundin leads both categories with 420 goals and 987 points in Toronto.
“I’ve watched (Matthews) grow and watched him mature,” Rielly said. “He’s prepared for this role, this next chapter, and I think it’s a great opportunity for our team to move forward and we’re all very excited about it.”
Though the change might have been inevitable, the seeds for it began shortly after the season ended, an eighth season in a row with an early playoff departure. Changes were needed. Sheldon Keefe was fired, replaced by Craig Berube. So that would be one different voice in the room.
“You digest a season and what happened and you’re looking to just improve in any way you can,” GM Brad Treliving said. “And it was at that time John and I had a conversation and I first raised the idea of the succession of the captaincy.”
Tavares mulled it over with his family and a few more times with Treliving. Berube chimed in. Team president Brendan Shanahan visited Tavares and his family.
“John’s a cerebral guy and John saw it and understood it as well as we did that the time was right,” Shanahan said. “I’ve known the Tavares family from his uncle (also named John) and lacrosse days, and I know what they’re made of and the kind of team players that they are. They always are thinking about what’s best for the team. So I wasn’t surprised at all to see John embracing the idea.”
The Leafs might have waited a year, when Tavares’s contract expired, and had a less newsworthy transition. Treliving said the contract status had nothing to do with it.
“That really didn’t play a role in it,” the GM said. “You act when you think the time is right.”
And Tavares was on board.
“As I took time to then think about things and look at our team, look at Auston, myself, everything as a whole, I tried to be very aware of where things were at,” he said. “What Auston has become as a player, as a person, as a leader, it just made a lot more sense and felt more and more right to me as time went on.”
Tavares called Matthews late last month.
“I wanted to let him know what I thought about him, and that I thought the time was now for him to take charge and be the captain and be the leader of our club,” Tavares said. “He’s got my full support.”
“After he let me know, I told him I was shaking. I had chills,” Matthews said. “Honestly, I’m so honoured and humbled. Since being drafted here eight years ago, you realize how special it is to play for the city of Toronto, to wear the Maple Leaf on your chest every single night. It just means the world to do that.
“I look forward to continuing our journey to obviously get to the top of the mountain, win the Stanley Cup and bring it back to Toronto.”
Tavares had one request for his two boys, who were dressed in Matthews sweaters Wednesday.
“Let me get a couple jerseys, have Auston sign (them).”
