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This morning, the Toronto Maple Leafs, with the blessing of John Tavares, are going to announce Auston Matthews as the next captain of the hockey team. The press conference is set to begin at 11am, and according to Darren Dreger, JT fully supports the change and was heavily involved in the process.

Before we get into the move itself, can I just say summer press conferences in Toronto often find ways of being messy? I'm curious if anything comes out today that isn't all flowers and rainbows. The status of captain of the Leafs is in some ways a very politicized mantle, not just within the locker room but as always outside of it, too. It's often described as the media's drumming up of content, but whether it's Paul Marner, Dubas-Shanahan, or Babcock, pushing and shoving exists in the background.

On the actual topic at hand, this is an obviously meaningful change for Matthews, and most definitely his fans (us). But the question always comes back to winning – because it has to, legacy means nothing without it. Does changing the captain make the team better? Maybe if JT was the worst captain in franchise history, but he isn't close a pylon.

What do you think, because I'm still feeling caught off guard by this news. Do you like it? Are you passionately for or against this? Has the summer apathy not been bubbled away yet?

Matt Murray was on a podcast the other day talking about his comeback, and particularly his double hip surgery last season. He's "in the best shape of his life".

NHL dot com spoke with Fraser Minten on the chances he can crack the Leafs roster again. There's quotes from Treliving and importantly Wick on Minten.

"He adapts really well," she said. "He is great to work with from a development standpoint. He's always curious on his own game. He studies the game of others and for him, it's just about trying to assist him toward taking that next step to being an everyday NHL player. He's very close.
"He's just such a pro. He's a very mature kid. He's a leader everywhere he goes and he's really like a sponge."
Minten ‘very close’ to landing full-time role with Maple Leafs | NHL.com
Forward prospect played 4 NHL games, reached WHL playoffs with Saskatoon last season
NHL logoDave McCarthy

Sam Gagner wants to be back in the NHL.

Report: UFA Sam Gagner eyes return for 18th NHL season | TSN
Veteran forward Sam Gagner is looking to continue his playing career for an 18th NHL season, Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal reports. Gagner celebrated his 35th birthday on Saturday.
TSNTSN.ca Staff

We'll have the press conference in the FTB. Plus, #21 in the Top 25 Under 25 will be out at 8am, as usual.

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