A couple of times this September, Craig Berube has been asked about Auston Matthews ’ growth as captain, a year into inheriting the ‘C’ from John Tavares.

It’s a good question in light of an eventful season where Matthews fought injuries to still produce 78 points in 67 games, played in the 4 Nations Face-Off, suffered another stinging playoff defeat and saw his longtime linemate Mitch Marner leave. Matthews is not the most demonstrative of NHL captains on the ice, but Berube is in his corner.

“I thought he grew quickly as a leader,” Berube said Thursday. “You guys don’t see it, the in-game things, in the room during games where he’s commanding the room, handling it. And he’s not the only guy. We have a lot of good, strong leaders who don’t have to wear an ‘A’ or a ‘C.’ I thought the l

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