Auston Matthews captaincy ceremony has one very conspicuous absence

There were many of the leadership team members at the Matthews captaincy ceremony, but one member's absence can be concerning.

Many of Matthews current and former teammates were there when he accepted the honor of captaincy from John Tavares, who graciously handed it over. Wendel Clark, Doug Gilmour, Mitch Marner and Morgan Rielly to name a few specifically helped Matthews usher in this history 26th captaincy for the Leafs.

When it was revealed that Matthews will be the next Maple Leaf to wear the C, many were in doubt that he was the one who should get it. In some people's minds, William Nylander should have been the next chosen captain. Nylander as well as Reilly are two of the Leaf's who have signed a long-term extension. Nylander inked a 8-year deal while Reilly's extension keeps him on the team through the 2029-30 season.

So, not seeing Nylander at the ceremony does not look great for Toronto.

As far as the alternate captains go, Nylander is probably not going to see that either, with Reilly most likely retaining his A, and Tavares being confirmed to wear the A in the last year of his contract with Toronto.

Mitch Marner is another Leaf who looks to be losing that leadership role, at least the symbol of it, on his sweater. His contract will also be up after this season and there is doubt if Toronto will be able to afford re-signing Marner after the large Reilly and Nylander deals.

So, outside of the guarantee that Tavares will have the A, the Leafs appear to be heading into camp without any further concrete alternates. It can be concerning that Nylander did not make the trip to be there for this ceremony. It can also be that he just was unable to. Either way, it does not look like a great way to start Matthews' captaincy.

As Read On: Maple Leafs Daily - Major absence at Auston Matthews' captaincy presentation tells concerning story

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