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Hmmmm, I'm not convinced on this one. The only reason his name is in the mix is because of the lack of quality vets around him. Plus, they don't want to give the 'C' to anybody that will be part of the fire-sale come off-season, which leaves Matty. I think you have to wait and see with this one, let's not commit to our captain of the future when we don't even know what the team of the future is....

Good point Bentley. I would say wait until after the trades in the off season to see who is around and worthy.

Stajan would be a decent selection. He is a local canadian boy and the leafs will be looking to move vets not aquire more. Therefore a young captain for a young team seems logical. He has shown plenty of leadership and maturity. He is better when Sundin is out of the lineup. As are most of the younger guys as they are finally getting some ice timeto prove themselves. Providing they don't give him a no-trade clause, he should continue to improve his game.
Did I also mention, he's Canadian.

Sundin will play another year and be the captain. There is one more year for someone to step up.

Matts wont sign without a ntc. And why wouldn't you give him one?

Peter>For the simple reason that Cliff does not want Mats driving the bus any more as he has stated.
Yeah Boston, they might. But the reason they might be is because of Mats Sundin and his NTC buddies.
By the way Boston, before we decide where the Leafs finish next year, lets see how they finish this one. Hahahahahha....Are you hearing footsteps creeping up behind you this week....hahahahha....

All im saying is that the leafs could do a lot worse than having Sundin come back next year. 4-5 mill and a no trade clause? Thats a no brainer. And dont forget the rules to buyouts guys. Not easy decisions ahead for Cliffie.

bostongm, it was Kaberle that also has the window to be traded, but it's not until after next season/draft before the clause gets activated. Some quick points:
- The Leafs could very well trade for a younger, building block type player and hand him the C. Not saying it's likely, but let's wait and see. The last two captain's the Leafs had were exactly that, young building block type players that were brought in by trader Cliff(Gilmour,Sundin)
-I don't think Mats in the blue and white next year is a lock, whoever is the next GM does not want to be held hostage by another NTC agreement.
-If I HAD to pick someone right now off the squad, I would pick Stajan. Only because of the lack of a better candidate, which is why I say it would be beneficial for the Leafs to just wait on this one, and let the off-season and next season play out.

Kubina can be traded after july1st(i believe)...but dont forget that 5 million dollar salary. That doesnt go

^ Yes, but he's also a UFA after next season, so 5 million for one year ain't too bad.

They had a deal for Kubina at the trade deadline, he just nixed it because that was the "cool" thing to do at the time. There will be takers for him, especially after he had some semblance of a decent season this year.

...away so it makes him hard to trade even with the window. Buyouts are (again i think) 2/3 of the remaining salary spread against the cap for double the years. So is Tucker replaceable with say a 1.5 player? Tough calls....

UFA after 2 more seasons for Kubina. And McCabes numbers start to decline..he doesnt look so bad now. The more things change...

Actually Kabina has been playing very good of late. Should the Leafs decide not to trade him at the end of the season, expect Kabina to have a very good year with his UFA coming up. Kaberle is worth every penny he gets.
The Leafs are proving their young talent can play, so I agree with Bently that Sundin is not a lock next year. Also trading Andropov might be a good idea as I don't think his stock will ever be any higher than it is now. There are several good players making 1.5 million and some of them less than a million. Lets see, Malkin, Crosby this year to name a few (ok, relax, I'm joking). Lets see what becomes of the draft.

Meh, this isn't a rumour, it was column written by Star reporter Damien Cox in yesterday's paper. He wasn't speculating that Stajan was even on a short list to be captain, rather he was making the case. It was basically an op-ed piece based on the author's opnion and not on any whispers coming out of the Leaf camp. Stajan has some virtue true, but it would take far more outside the box thinking than this organization generally shows to move the C post-Sundin to Stajan ahead of guys like McCabe or Tucker. Not saying they're better suited, just saying I'd be surprised if they were passed over if they weren't moved first.

I don't like this idea at all. Not that Stajan is a terrible hockey player or anything, but let's get serious here. He's a young guy who has done very little in terms of stepping up to help out his team. Sure, he plays solid defensive hockey, but just because he blocked 3 shots in the sam PK the other night - and the HNIC showed it - now he's all of a sudden the captain of the future? He's no Mike Richards, I can tell you that much. Now, I can understand that there is nobody else in-house that is at all qualified to take over that "C", but that doesn't mean you should just hand it to some kid who has yet to even play a real BIG game. No playoff games in his career, to the best of my knowledge. What does he score, 40 points a season? 50? When you name a third liner Captain, its because he's experienced, and a beauty of a leader, like a Kirk Muller was, or, slightly more recently, Dave Andreychuck. (which reminds me - Gilmour was no "young" player when the Leafs picked him up, Bentley. He wasn't old, but he was an older, experienced veteran with Calgary/St. Louis). Stajan is a 3rd liner, pure and simple. Naming him captain is selling yourself short. I don't think he's garbage, I really don't - and think he would be a great "A", but captain? Sign Mats another season if he's in, let him ride with the "C" one more year - or as long as he wants to, for that matter, considering the way he played this year - and look at your hand then. Just because Philly is about to hand it to a youngster in Richards and Pittsburgh named Crosby doesn't mean the Leafs have to run and do the same thing. This kid doesn't garner that type of honour (at least not yet).

Boston named Chara captain the instant they signed him - what's to stop Toronto from doing the same thing? If Mats leaves, bring in a Jason Smith, who will help the D AND be a good leader and hand HIM the 'C' for a couple years. Or do like Buffalo and not have a captain until someone suitable presents himself. I'm no Leafs fan, but I think naming this kid Captain would be a black eye on the franchise's storied history

Peter - your right, I messed my numbers, two more years than he's a UFA.I still think he has suitors, and your right 4.5 mill/yr for McCabe is a lot better than the 7.1/yr he was making when he first signed that deal.

Big Ben - good point, it is just Cox's opinion. I don't necessarily care for his writing too often though, and obviously this time I don't care for his opinion either.

Go - Gilmour wasn't a youngun that's for sure, I mostly meant Sundin with that statement. Gilmour was brought in to build around and provide leadership, Sundin was brought in to be the next franchise player. Both weren't brought up through the system, they were acquired, which means it doesn't necessarily have to be a home-grown talent to wear the 'C'.You bring up some good points , and your second paragraph echoes my sentiments exactly.

Kaberele has been there longer... so has Poni and Antropov. I really didn't expect to see Stajan's name on the short list but what do I know... Anyways, my pick would be anyone but Raycroft.

Kubina's window is starting at the draft and goes to August 15 this off season, Kaberle's next year I think. As for Stajan becoming captain...? Shouldn't we kind of hold off on this until after #13 leaves? BTW..., I like Stajan but not sure about the 'C' for him just yet!

FCB-Kaberele has been there longer... so has Poni and Antropov. I really didn't expect to see Stajan's name on the short list but what do I know... Anyways, my pick would be anyone but Raycroft.
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There really isn't any list, just a reporters opinion.
Raycroft would be an excellant choice. I mean really, what else does he have to do?

goCanada, keep it down about Jason Smith. I'm not ready to see him go yet. But yeah, you're right, he would fit in the captains role perfectly up there............... and oh yeah, go Leafs tonite against Boston!