NHL analyst opines on how John Tavares feels about being stripped of Maple Leafs captaincy

By Cole Shelton

Modified Aug 13, 2024 18:37 GMT

NHL analyst Eric Macramalla of TSN didn't like the Toronto Maple Leafs taking the captaincy from John Tavares. The Maple Leafs are set to name Auston Matthews their new captain on August 14.

The news caught many by surprise, but a report came out that he was part of the process of naming Matthews the captain.

However, Macramalla thinks it still looks bad that Toronto has opted to remove the captaincy from Tavares as he enters the final year of his deal.

"Make no mistake about Tavares must feel embarrassed to be stripped of the Leafs captaincy. Whatever is said at the presser about JT supporting the move is just transparent PR. He was the captain of the Leafs and now that's been taken away. Ouch," Macramalla wrote on X.

Many people were torn on Tavares being stripped of his captaincy, as some thought it was a bad look, while others thought it was time.

There is no question Auston Matthews is the face of the franchise and deserves to be the captain, and that will finally come to fruition on August 14.

Former Maple Leafs GM talks about the team potentially stripping John Tavares

In July, rumors came out that the Maple Leafs were looking at possibly stripping John Tavares of his captaincy.

Tavares had been the subject of trade rumors as he entered the final year of his deal, and now a month-and-a-half later, the Maple Leafs opted to remove the captaincy from him.

Former Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke spoke about the situation to Leafs Morning Take in early July.

“I’ve had the discussion before and it’s such a drastic step,” Burke said. “It’s admitting you made a mistake in my mind if you put the ‘C’ on a guy and take it away. You’ve seen it happen, it happened in San Jose and it’s happened recently. It’s not unheard of, but it is unusual.

“I wouldn’t entertain that discussion. I think John Tavares is a quality player and a good guy. He’s earned his money, he’s done a good job, he’s killed penalties, he’s worked on the power play. I think he’s a useful guy, he’s good in the community. I’ve heard the rumours though, the rumblings.”

However, the Maple Leafs ended up making the decision to do so.

Tavares has been with the Leafs for six seasons after signing a seven-year, $77 million deal with his hometown team in 2018.