John Tavares speaks out on his new role after losing Maple Leafs' captaincy to Auston Matthews

The Toronto Maple Leafs played their first preseason game with Auston Matthews as their captain, after he succeeded John Tavares. In the offseason, Tavares gave away his captaincy as he felt like the time was now for Matthews to lead the unit.

In the Maple Leafs' first preseason game on Sunday, Tavares was donning an 'A' as an assistant captain.

Although Tavares is still a leader for the Maple Leafs, he says that not being the captain is a bit weird. But he added that the team should benefit from Matthews being the captain.

"But everything's been really natural. I think me and Auston have a tremendous relationship, a great amount of respect for each other, and obviously I've spoken a lot about what I think of him and obviously, the type of player and person and what he's become and the opportunity for him to really step into this and take another step and continue on the way he's been leading," Tavares said, via The Hockey News.

"It may be less front and center, but a great, great challenge for me, great opportunity to adapt. I don't want to say, think about or recognize those differences too much. But I know it will be a little bit different, but I don't think it changes a lot on how I approach the game, how I play and how I lead and how I can impact the group. So just kind of going about my business day to day, and like I said, excited about the group and supporting Auston."

In the Maple Leafs' first preseason game, Tavares recorded three assists as he was a key part of Toronto's lineup, despite the OT loss to the Ottawa Senators.

Tavares is entering the final year of his seven-year, $77 million deal with the Maple Leafs.

John Tavares hopeful to stay in Toronto

John Tavares is from Toronto and signed with his hometown team in 2018. He is now entering the final year of his deal.

Tavares has said numerous times that he wants to sign an extension and remain a Maple Leaf.

“I want to be here and be here long term,” Tavares said at media day, via Sportsnet. “So, hopefully that happens.”

Although he is no longer the superstar he was when he signed in Toronto, the 34-year-old still plays an important role for the Maple Leafs. He can be Toronto's second or third-line center and add some depth scoring to the lineup.

The Maple Leafs open its 2024-25 NHL season on October 9 against the Montreal Canadiens.