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Toronto Maple Leafs: Mats Sundin offers thoughts on Auston Mathews as captain

By David Morassutti

TORONTO - DECEMBER 13: Darius Kasparaitis #6 of the New York Rangers tries to stop Mats Sundin #13 of the Toronto Maple Leafs as he drives to the net with the puck during the game at Air Canada Centre on December 13, 2003 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)
TORONTO - DECEMBER 13: Darius Kasparaitis #6 of the New York Rangers tries to stop Mats Sundin #13 of the Toronto Maple Leafs as he drives to the net with the puck during the game at Air Canada Centre on December 13, 2003 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images) /
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Former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin offered his opinion on whether Auston Matthews should be the next Buds captain.

Many believe Auston Matthews will likely become the next captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs when the time is right. However, Mats Sundin doesn’t think it’s set in stone just yet.

The former Leafs captain discussed the idea on TSN 1050 and gave his thoughts on what he wants to see from the future captain.

"“It’s easy to say Auston Matthews, he should be the captain,” Sundin told TSN 1050. “But saying that, it has to be a player and a person that also wants to carry that responsibility and actually plays better wearing the C.”"

Since Dion Phaneuf was traded to the Ottawa Senators back in the 2016, Toronto has been without a captain which is understandable, as that would be the last thing a rebuilding team would be concerned about. Any time the team has been asked about whether a captain will be named, they have said it is not an urgent matter.

General manager Kyle Dubas addressed the matter to the media when he was promoted recently, saying he would not be making the captaincy a priority at this time.

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As Lance Hornby pointed out in the Toronto Sun, Sundin had big shoes to fill when he was given the “C” after Doug Gilmour. Considering how beloved Gilmour was during his tenure, there was nothing easy about the scenario. Add on top of that, the Leafs traded Wendel Clark to get Sundin in the first place.

Hornby also believes Morgan Rielly would get some serious consideration, should the time come to make a decision.

When asked about the direction of the team, Sundin seemed pretty optimistic about where things are going, but knows there is still work to do.

"“The people should be excited about the future, young players who’ll be stars in the league for many years. Management so far has done a great job piling on the talent. (But) we all know it’s not easy winning Stanley Cups. I’m the first one to know that. You want patience from the fans. We all know what they’ve gone through for many years now, trying to find a winning team.”"

It would have been easy for Sundin to say that Matthews is the right choice if the time comes to name a new captain, but he knows how important this decision is and why it shouldn’t be rushed. It’s not like the fans or players are making a big deal about it.

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What are your thoughts on Sundin’s comments? Is Matthews your choice as the next Toronto Maple Leafs captain? Let us know in the comments below. 

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