Mo deserves it more than anyone else on the team... Will be interesting to see how this all plays out and whether or not they already promised it to AM, but Dubas seemed pretty pissed when he addressed the media.

Matthews should know that he isn't Captain after this. Not that its that big of a deal, its stupid and immature for sure but as all things are in Leaf Land, this has been blown out of proportion. With that being said, I think its safe to say Matthews isn't ready for Captain if this sort of thing happened and the fact he didn't tell anyone shows he's still not mature enough to do what he needs to be to be Captain in this market.

It may be better for him anyways. He can still be the face of the franchise and a leader on the team but he can just play and not worry about shouldering the load of the entire franchise. Rielly has been doing that for 3 years already, he's done great at it. He's the best ambassador this team has ever seen and how he handled the homophobic slur situation last year was incredible. I am hoping Rielly, JT, and Tavares sit down with Dubas, Babs and Shanahan and have a heart to heart ending with Matthews and JT saying, Rielly is the Captain of this team, just make it happen.

Couldn't agree more. I'd only add that I'd give Muzzin the A this year over AM. These kids have quite a bit of growing up to do still.

I think Dubas and Shanny have every right to be pissed. The leafs finally got the Mitchy Rich drama put to bed and then the Captain Underpants drama shows up without any forewarning.

Rielly - C
JT - A
Muzzin - A

Richie Mitch, Captain Underpants, and Slow to Rise (for work) Willy could use some time out of the spotlight to grow and mature as people.

Giving him the A is a responsibility I think he needs to take on. It's part of his maturation. A learning opportunity.

How many minutes a night you figure Sandin plays on 3rd pair?

12 or less, I say better off with Marlies playing 22 minutes instead. He needs to play and grow.


Call him up after December if he looks good like they did with Dermott 2 years ago.

I think Sandin will see his ice time rise throughout the year. Start him with sheltered minutes and expand as he gets more comfortable, or send him down if he needs more seasoning. I think he may be better than other options so why not play him?

Does the Blueline look better with Sandin on the 3rd pair or with Harpur? Sandin could play less when the game is close and more when the Leafs have a bigger lead which they should have often.

My opinon is that Sandin is too important to worry about what happens this year.
This year we have veterans that should playing more and likely will play more.

Sandin will not grow playing 3rd pair minutes here with the Leafs, he is better off playing more consistantly with Marlies and showing what he can do.

Playing in the difficult situations which he will get to do with Marlies.
Rielly, Ceci, Muzzin and Barrie all ahead of him here, he will be on the bench and not playing in those spots.
Hell he will be behind Dermott too.


He has 1 year in the AHL, he was not a high pick.
If shows well with Marliea, call him up after December.
There is room for damage to be done to him if he starts with the Leafs, less likely if he starts with Marlies.

He'll have lots to think about and learn from following this sitch. I don't really see how giving him an A is going to help his maturity. And I'm not sure the leafs are eager to reward his mistakes with an A let, alone a C, and give him an official leadership role within the organization.

The guy is 21 and he has some growing up to do, like all 21 yr olds do. Let him do that. In the meantime, a leadership group of Mo, JT and Muzzin is pretty solid.

I really dont think it's time to give AM and/or Mitch and/or Nylander the reigns to the team, given the distractions that each of them have brought upon the team, in different ways, and at different times.

The leaf brass talks alot about the culture they're trying to create. Surely when they say that they don't mean holding out and missing a chunk of the season, using the media to manipulate contract negotiations while actively/publicly chasing offer sheets, and misdemeanor charges. Just let them play hockey til they grow up a bit more. I don't think they're ready to lead.

I am not sure that is at all the case. Rielly made the team at 19 and ended up playing a lot of minutes. Granted there was less talent back then but I think Sandin will end up earning more minutes. I bet in close games where they are down a goal, he gets shifts with Rielly. The odd time he may get a little PP time and some PK work as well I'd wager. I think refining the fundamentals against NHL players could be a better learning experience than a year on the farm.

I hear you and I think that path is totally fine as well. There are probably a lot of right ways. Like there still is for Captain. Not giving it to Matthews is totally fine with Tavares and Rielly there as well.

Let these guys be more like Patrick Kane in the sense they can just focus on playing while the other guys do the outside media stuff.

There are alot of skeletons in Kane's closet. Let's hope they're not too much like him. There's only so much drama leaf nation can handle

Lol, I totally thought that while I typed it, (I think he's a terrible person and am not a fan), but I meant more along the lines where Kane doesn't have to shoulder near as much responsibility and can just play.