Ex-Bruins HC Don Cherry slams rumors about stripping John Tavares of captaincy for $53,000,000 star

By Zachary Roberts

Modified Jul 16, 2024 14:51 GMT

There are widespread rumors that John Tavares will be stripped of the captain's role with the Toronto Maple Leafs. It is believed that Auston Matthews, who holds a four-year, $53 million contract, might take over as the new captain.

Former Boston Bruins coach Don Cherry is not one of those people. In fact, he staunchly supports Tavares retaining the captain's role.

"I think it'd be a bad move. I really do believe this would be a bad move. That'd be kind of tough, like that's a real slap in the face, a real slap in the face to Tavares. I don't think it'll ever happen," Cherry said on his Grapevine Podcast.

Losing the captaincy would signal to Tavares that the Maple Leafs have no faith in his ability to lead them. It would convey to the player that he has performed inadequately and that the team's shortcomings are solely his fault. That may undermine his confidence and ruin a team that has been rather successful in recent seasons.

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NHL analyst initially floated idea of John Tavares losing captaincy

Rumors have swirled about what the Toronto Maple Leafs will do with John Tavares's role as captain. According to them, this is a legitimate conversation the team is having with itself. One NHL analyst confirmed as much.

"From what I’m hearing, the Leafs are contemplating taking the captaincy away from him (Tavares) and giving it to Auston. They will talk about it. I’m not saying it’s going to happen, but it’s real," Nick Kypreos said.

What will the Toronto Maple Leafs do with John Tavares?

Kypreos pointed out that the Maple Leafs have made it out of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs just once in Tavares' reign as captain.

Nevertheless, they are evidently thinking about the future and that may mean a demotion for Tavares.