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The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially announced that Auston Matthews has been named captain of the club, starting with the 2024-25 season.
TSN’s Darren Dreger was the first to break the news on Monday, with sources confirming the information to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli. According to Dreger, Tavares had been heavily involved in the process of naming Matthews as the new on-ice leader of the Original Six franchise.
Expect the Toronto Maple Leafs to name Auston Matthews captain on Wednesday. This is part of the evolution of Matthews as a leader and current Maple Leafs captain John Tavares fully supports the change. Tavares has been heavily involved in the process with GM Brad Treliving.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) August 12, 2024
Chris Johnston of The Athletic mentioned on X that discussions about the change began shortly after the Maple Leafs were knocked out by the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
It is not as if Matthews is not one of the leaders in Toronto. The 26-year-old has been the face of the franchise seemingly since he was taken first overall in the 2016 NHL Draft, and has been slowly maturing into one of the biggest voices in the team’s locker room. Matthews has been part of the Leafs’ leadership group for the last few seasons, as he was named an alternate captain prior to the 2019-20 season, a role he has held ever since.
The choice to have Matthews wear the ‘C’ for the Leafs doesn’t come as a surprise to many. With his status as one of the game’s superstars, it seemed as if it was only going to be a matter of time before he was given the honor that has been given to legends like Mats Sundin, Darryl Sittler and Dave Keon. He will be the first captain in Craig Berube’s tenure as head coach of the Leafs.
Matthews is coming off the best season of his career, and one of the best goal-scoring performances in three decades. The California-born, Arizona-raised Matthews scored 69 goals and 38 assists for 107 points in 81 games, equalling Mario Lemieux in 1996 for the most goals scored in a single season since 1992-93, the last time a player hit the 70-goal mark in a single season. He is also ready to receive his big pay bump, as his four-year, $13.25 million AAV contract extension that he signed in August 2023 will kick in this season.
In 582 NHL games, the former ZSC Lion has notched 368 goals and 281 assists for 649 points. He has also posted 23 goals and 25 assists for 48 points in 55 career postseason appearances.
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Two Teams Linked to a Trade with Bruins for Pavel Zacha
The Boston Bruins are gauging trade interest in forward Pavel Zacha, according to The Fourth Period. Following a down season and a trade deadline where Zacha’s name was thrown around but was ultimately not moved, Bruins GM Don Sweeney is trying to move the 27-year-old Czech center. Zacha is playing in the final season of a contract that has a $4.75 million cap hit. Zacha, acquired from the New Jersey Devils in 2022 for Erik Haula, has been a solid pickup for Boston. He posted 21 goals and 57 points in 78 games in 2023-24, though his production dipped slightly to 47 points over a full 82-game slate last season. He can play up and down the lineup and has a strong two-way game. Who Has Shown Interest in a Zacha Trade? Two teams reportedly monitoring Zacha are the Vancouver Canucks and the Utah Hockey Club. Both teams are seeking top-six forward depth and would value Zacha’s steady offensive contributions. The Canucks have been busy all summer, signing and trading players. They have also been linked to Jack Roslovic talks in free agency, meaning they wouldn’t be adding both. Utah has been looking to make a splash this season and work their way up the standings in an attempt to compete for the playoffs. The Bruins would likely demand a notable return, but neither team is looking to send players back. The trade would likely involve a high pick or a mid-tier prospect. Zacha controls part of the process with an eight-team no-trade list. He’s owed just $3.75 million in actual salary each of the next two seasons, further boosting his trade appeal.
Steelers' Surprise Standout JJ Galbreath Forces Coaches To Take Notice
The Pittsburgh Steelers may have stumbled onto a hidden gem in rookie tight end JJ Galbreath, whose performance during training camp has made him impossible to ignore. With the roster loaded and competition steep across every position group, it’s usually difficult for an undrafted player to separate himself from the crowd, but Galbreath is doing exactly that, one practice at a time. The buzz started small, but it’s growing louder by the day, especially after the way Mark Kaboly described Galbreath’s early impression. On the July 26th, 2025 episode of Kaboly + Mack, Kaboly broke down what he's been seeing from Galbreath during training camp, noting that the tight end has consistently stood out despite entering as a relatively unknown player. Kaboly wasn’t going out of his way to track Galbreath. That’s what makes his performance all the more eye-catching, and Galbreath forced himself into the conversation. “You gotta keep an eye on him," Kaboly said. "He’s a guy you really notice during minicamp and the first day or two. That’s how you continue to tell who’s, I guess, you know, standing out because he’s noticeable. You’re not looking for JJ Galbreth.” That observation from Kaboly speaks volumes. When you're not trying to find a player, but still keep noticing them, it’s often the first sign that something special might be unfolding. Galbreath wasn’t brought in to be a headline, but he’s slowly turning into one. In a tight end room that already includes Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington, and Connor Heyward, the road to a 53-man roster spot is steep, but standing out in July matters. Galbreath is making his name known the old-school way by producing. “Who’s 87? Then the next day, who’s 87? Boy, 87 made them a nice play," Kaboly stated. "Then all of a sudden, you realize this guy’s pretty good. I don’t know if he can make the 53-man, but he’s definitely a practice squad eligible type of guy, but they like him, so he does have some talent.” Kaboly’s commentary here gives us a look behind the curtain. That “who’s 87?” question being asked on consecutive days reflects exactly what happens when a player consistently performs above expectations. When multiple coaches and reporters begin identifying you by number, without being told to, you’re doing something right. For a franchise that’s built its identity on development and physicality, players like Galbreath have a real path to stick around even if it's not right away. The Steelers aren’t strangers to undrafted or overlooked players proving themselves during camp and earning long-term roles. That path might be in front of Galbreath, too. At 6’4” and 240 pounds, the rookie from the University of South Dakota has good size, soft hands, and a knack for making himself known in high-pressure reps. The Steelers’ offensive staff, led by Arthur Smith, will need dependable blockers and reliable targets as they work to revamp their scheme. If Galbreath can continue to shine in team periods and prove useful on special teams, a practice squad spot feels not just likely, but earned. The 53-man roster might be a long shot this early, but the fact that Galbreath is in the conversation tells you everything you need to know. The work ethic is there, the flashes are becoming frequent, and coaches are watching. Steelers Must Make Tough Choices at Tight End The Steelers’ tight end room is crowded, but injuries and evolving schemes always bring surprises. With Freiermuth and Smith cemented as the top two, it would take a strong preseason for Galbreath to edge out Heyward or Washington. But even if he lands on the practice squad, that’s a win because in Pittsburgh, that’s where real opportunities begin. Galbreath may not be a household name yet, but minicamp is where the grind starts. And he’s already proven he’s not just a camp body. Can Galbreath turn his early momentum into a long-term role with the Steelers, or will a loaded tight end room squeeze him out?
Quinn Ewers’ Camp Performance Forces Dolphins Into Tough QB Decision
Being the backup quarterback isn't necessarily the most exciting role for anyone, but for a team like the Miami Dolphins, where starter Tua Tagovailoa has suffered four concussions since entering the NFL in 2020, it could be vital. As of now, a clear battle for that spot has formed between rookie seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers and veteran former first-round selection Zach Wilson as they go head-to-head. Of course, training camp is where these kinds of questions can be solved, and so far, it appears that Ewers has done a good job in putting his best foot forward. On Friday, David Furones of the Sun Sentinel gave a very positive update on the young quarterback, stating, "Dolphins rookie QB Quinn Ewers had a strong third practice of training camp. Made several impressive, big-time throws." The update sparked conversations among many fans, both supporting Ewers and a serious showing that there's interest in seeing who comes out on top. "Show ‘em, Quinn," said one comment. "He just does a lot of things (anticipatory throws, timing throws, MOTF accuracy, etc.) that fit this system much better than what Wilson does. I think with refinement and development we could have a backup in Miami that can operate the offense efficiently…finally," said another. "Love to hear it!" a third added. A fourth stated, "I'd be surprised if he's not the backup.." "I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Quinn Ewers has the physical tools to stick at the next level. It’s just a matter of shaping the rest," a fifth continued. "That’s QB2 potential QB1 in the future Glad we drafted Ewers," said another. Another big test for both Ewers and Wilson will be during the Dolphins' three preseason games, as the coaching staff will get a much better look at how these two perform during live matchups. Luckily for both, though, being the backup is all they're truly fighting for, as Kyle Crabbs of A to Z Sports predicts that each will make the final 53-man roster, with cuts needing to be made by Aug. 27.
Denny Hamlin suffers vicious crash in Brickyard 400 qualifying
The favorite to win Sunday's Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway will have quite a mountain to climb. Denny Hamlin, who was fastest in practice at IMS on Saturday and is searching for his first Brickyard 400 win, suffered a vicious impact during Saturday's NASCAR Cup Series qualifying session. Hamlin was the last car to make a lap during the session, but the No. 11 Toyota broke loose on the exit of turn 2. After tapping the outside wall, he spun into the grass before making hard contact with the inside wall. Hamlin did not produce a qualifying time and will be forced to go to a backup car for Sunday's race. The 58-time Cup Series winner will start last (39th) on Sunday. Hamlin did climb out of the car after the accident. Meanwhile, his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Chase Briscoe, secured the pole position for Sunday's race. The top five in qualifying were swept by Toyota, with 23XI Racing's Bubba Wallace joining Briscoe on the front row. The Brickyard 400 will go green shortly after 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, with coverage on TNT, the IMS Radio Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
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