Rielly says Leafs’ captaincy question not a topic among the players

TORONTO - Morgan Rielly understands why the questions are asked. The Maple Leafs defenceman also wants to make it clear he’s never heard the topic discussed inside Toronto’s lockerroom.

A day after general manager Kyle Dubas told TSN’S Bob Mckenzie that the Leafs would enter 2018-19 without a captain - a position that’s remained vacant for 2 1/2 years - Rielly said continued discourse about the ‘C’ and whose jersey it will eventually be stitched on simply comes with the territory when playing in a media fishbowl. “We certainly don’t talk about it as a group,” the 24-year-old told reporters Thursday after an informal skate with teammates at Toronto’s practice facility.

“You guys have a job to do and that’s fine. We understand that. It’s part of it.”

“I don’t think we’ve ever had a conversation amongst ourselves about it,” Leafs winger Zach Hyman added.

“It’s all the buzz outside: Who’s going to be captain? But in the dressing room, nobody talks about who’s the captain or who’s the assistant captain.”

Toronto has been minus a captain since Dion Phaneuf was traded to the Ottawa Senators in February 2016 with the Leafs’ talentdeprived roster well on its way to bottoming out in the standings. However, much has changed since with the drafting of a phenom in Auston Matthews to lead a young and dynamic forward group, backto-back-playoff appearances, and the earth-moving addition of star centre John Tavares in free agency this summer.