Ryan Reaves recently discussed Auston Matthews' inaugural season as captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, reflecting on Matthews' leadership style amid his injury struggles. In the 2024-25 season, Matthews demonstrated resilience, scoring 78 points in 67 regular-season games and adding another 11 points in the playoffs. Reaves emphasized that Matthews led by example, showing a strong work ethic on and off the ice, which inspired younger teammates. Despite not being the most vocal captain, Matthews' presence and dedication were noted as invaluable to the team dynamic.