Auston Matthews hints at long-term future with Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs have undergone the second significant leadership change of the offseason by naming Auston Matthews the 26th captain in franchise history, succeeding John Tavares after five seasons.

Not long after their season ended in disappointing fashion at the hands of the Original 6 rival Boston Bruins yet again, they made the decision to terminate head coach Sheldon Keefe and would find his replacement by hiring 2019 Stanley Cup winning-coach Craig Berube.

Matthews, who becomes the first American-born captain in team history and just the 2nd non-Canadian captain behind Mats Sundin, was recently inked to a four year, $53,000,000 contract that keeps him in town through the 2027-28 season. He'll only be 30 years of age when that deal ends, and still in his prime.

Has he considered becoming a lifelong Leafs player, especially now considering that he's assumed the captaincy? It's something that has crossed his mind, according to comments he made at the team press conference earlier this morning.

"I think that's the goal, is to be a Leaf for life, to win here with my teammates for this city," Matthews said. "I think those are always things that you kind of keep in the back of your mind, but they're also things that are kind of in the future as well.

"I've loved every minute of being a Toronto Maple Leaf. Like I said, it's such a tremendous honor, and you kind of take it one day at a time, but I hope that's the case."

It sounds like playing his entire career with the franchise who drafted him 1st overall in 2016 is something that he's considering!

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