Toronto Maple Leafs Finalize Leadership Group Following Marner Trade
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
According to Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube, with the departure of Mitch Marner, the team is going to have only two alternate captains instead of three.
The departure of Mitch Marner this summer seems to be a blessing and a curse for the Maple Leafs. On one hand, you don't have a 100-point player who can help carry the offense if they struggle, but on the flip side; you don't have a toxic locker room presence.
However the absence of Marner did open up one hole in the Maple Leafs lineup, that being the need to replace him as an alternate captain. It was Marner, Morgan Rielly and John Tavares holding the 'A' alongside Auston Matthews' 'C' and all four men played their roles great as leaders albeit with some controversy.
So heading into 2025-26, who is going to be the one to step up and be the next leader for the team?
How the Maple Leafs' Leadership Group Looks in the Post-Marner Era
According to head Coach Craig Berube, nobody; but it's not anything personal. Speaking to Jonas Siegel of The Athletic, Berube explained that the team is happy with what they have and don't need another alternate to help them lead:
We thought about that and discussed it. I think we leave the A's with Morgan (Rielly) and JT. But our leadership group is more than that, and that's what matters for me. You don't have to have an A on or anything like that to be a leader.
We have our leadership group and that group's strong, and I think all the guys understand that. I think we'll just leave the A's with Morgan and JT right now. Whether that changes or not, it could. But right now, it's not.
We have our leadership group and that group's strong, and I think all the guys understand that. I think we'll just leave the A's with Morgan and JT right now. Whether that changes or not, it could. But right now, it's not.
Berube's taking a more laid back approach when it comes to his leadership and prefers to let his players lead by example as opposed to having an arbitrary letter on their jersey.
Besides Matthews, Tavares, and Rielly, you can also look to guys like Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Anthony Stolarz who are strong veteran presences who also lead by example.
What This Decision Signals for Players Like Knies, Nylander and Tanev
In terms of the future, it wouldn't be surprising to see Matthew Knies get the 'A' at some point and with the way his current trajectory is going as one of the faces of the franchise; a 'C' could be in his future as well.
While it might be disappointing on the outside that nobody was selected to add a letter to their jersey, it really shouldn't matter in the gran scheme of things. Tanev has been around long enough that an 'A' or not doesn't define the leader he is.
Nylander might be a bit of a surprise but it's not like this is a permanent change. If the Swede proves to Berube he can be a leader on and off the ice, he might earn in later on.
There are a ton of players who could qualify as a potential alternate captain for the Maple Leafs, but they don't need one in order to succeed.
This group is one for all and all for one, and it seems everyone is going to be expected to lead.
Letter or not.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 9 | 876 ANSWERS Toronto Maple Leafs Finalize Leadership Group Following Marner Trade Who should get the third 'A' on the Maple Leafs if they get another alternate? | ||
| Chris Tanev | 356 | 40.6 % |
| William Nylander | 270 | 30.8 % |
| Jake McCabe | 110 | 12.6 % |
| Matthew Knies | 140 | 16 % |
| List of polls | ||
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