Auston Matthews has looked a little different to start the season, and that was enough to get JD Bunkis and Sam McKee wondering why.
The Maple Leafs captain hasn’t just seemed healthier or more settled. He’s carrying himself in a way that suggests something has shifted, even if it’s hard to pin down exactly what that is. One possible reason floated by the two hosts: Mats Sundin being around the organization.
It’s not a wild idea. Sundin spent years living the reality of being captain in Toronto, and he did it in a way that left a strong impression. He handled the media well, showed class in how he conducted himself, and understood the weight that comes with leading this team.
Bunkis and McKee suggested Matthews and Sundin have probably had chances to talk since Sundin joined the front office. No one knows what those conversations have been, but captaincy feels like the obvious topic. If you’re Matthews, there may not be a better person in the building to compare notes with.
That doesn’t mean Matthews has to copy Sundin. No two captains lead the same way, and Toronto’s leadership job doesn’t come with one perfect template. Still, having someone nearby who has already dealt with the pressure, the spotlight and the responsibility of wearing the C in Toronto has obvious value.
Sometimes the biggest impact comes from a small conversation. It might not be some dramatic lesson or a long sit-down. It could just be a new way of seeing the job.
Bunkis and McKee also touched on how Matthews has looked with the media and how he’s carried himself on the ice. Their sense was that he may be starting to understand the captain’s role differently than he did before.
That said, it’s still early, and there’s no reason to turn a few games into a grand theory. Sundin may have nothing to do with it.
Matthews could simply feel better physically, or he may just be viewing his role and the game itself differently.
What matters is that he may still be growing into the position, and that’s part of the story. Leadership doesn’t always announce itself. Sometimes it shows up in the way a player answers a tough question, responds after a rough night, or helps steady the group when things aren’t going right.
If Matthews is getting more comfortable in that space, the Maple Leafs should benefit from it. And if Sundin has helped him along the way, that’s a useful presence to have in the organization. We may never know how much influence Sundin has had, but if Matthews is picking up even a little from one of the best captains the team has ever had, that seems like a good thing.
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