Bruins Brief: Captain Matthews; Getzlaf Getting Back In The Game (Sort Of)

Good morning, my name is Andrew Fantucchio. It’s Thursday, August 15, and here are the top news items, stories, and highlights surrounding the Boston Bruins and from around the National Hockey League today.

Captain Matthews:

The Toronto Maple Leafs officially unveiled Auston Matthews as their newest captain on Wednesday, making him the 26th captain in franchise history.

🤝 pic.twitter.com/BV6IA2rrG5

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) August 14, 2024

“I’m incredibly humbled to be named captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs,” Matthews said to media in Toronto. “This team, this city, and our fans mean everything to me. We all embrace the history of this franchise, and we are determined to get the job done.”

Matthews will take over the role of Toronto’s captain with his predecessor still on the team. John Tavares has been the captain of the Maple Leafs since 2019 but will forfeit the role to Matthews as he enters the final year of his contract.

“It’s about the evolution of our young core that isn’t so young anymore,” Tavares said to media in Toronto. “They’re in the prime of their careers in what they’ve become. What Auston has become as a player, as a person, and as a leader, it just made a lot more sense the more I thought about it.”

Getzlaf Joins Dept. Of Player Safety:

Ryan Getzlaf enjoyed a successful NHL career, playing 17 seasons, all with Anaheim Ducks from 2006-22. Now in his post-playing days, Getzlaf is getting back into the league, sort of.

Getzlaf will begin working within the NHL Department of Player Safety starting this season.

Ryan Getzlaf joins NHL Department of Player Safety. https://t.co/a3vd764FYf

— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) August 14, 2024

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More From National Hockey Now:

Colorado: There’s a belief that a path still exists toward a contract extension between the Colorado Avalanche and their prized winger, Mikko Rantanen.

Pittsburgh: Against better judgment, the Pittsburgh Penguins are going to try to make one more run with their aging roster this season.

Montreal: When things inevitably fail in Pittsburgh, could we see Sidney Crosby head to the Montreal Canadiens?

Washington: Speaking of the Habs, their former captain, Max Pacioretty, is still sitting on the open market after spending last season with the Washington Capitals.

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