Auston Matthews Expected Return Timeline Revealed by Insider
With Auston Matthews being injured again for the Maple Leafs, fans are concerned as to when the captain should return, and one NHL insider has an idea of a timeframe.
The unfortunate news that Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is out injured yet again after re-aggravating the injury that kept him out nearly a month earlier in the season.
There's a lot of concern regarding when or even if Toronto should expect him back soon, and there's also talk of the superstar being shut down for the foreseeable future. It's a tough situation to navigate, although NHL Insider Chris Johnston seems to have an idea as to when he'll be back.
It's a little less clear for Auston Matthews, it depends on how he feels, if he gets to Thursday, to Friday, if he's comfortable. I don't expect this most recent layoff to be an extended one, or bracing for something like what happened in November.
There's going to be discussion on what makes most sense cause they go straight into a back to back, it might be prudent to sit out until next Tuesday, but we'll hear more about that in a couple days."
Should The Maple Leafs Hold Back On Auston Matthews?
It's a hard call to make given that Toronto both needs to have their captain on the ice as a leader and he provides so much value at both ends of the ice.
However, if he is struggling to get into that dominant form then the team should tread lightly.
The team cannot afford to have Matthews injured for any extended period of time, especially come playoff time and the fact that he's been selected for the 4 Nations Face-Off in February offers no consolation.
The Leafs can't force him out of the tournament, but they can kindly ask him to consider the playoffs and risk factors associated with suiting up for Team USA. They just need to make sure he is healthy for April, and not be sitting on the sidelines during the team's most critical games.
Matthews has been off to a much slower start this season, with only 11 goals and 12 assists, showing much less punch and looking a few steps behind everyone else.
When he was reinjured against Buffalo, he grabbed his hip, a very concerning injury for someone who relies on speed.
Johnston thinks it might be best for the Leafs captain to sit out until next week, but perhaps it would be in the team's best interest to keep him away as long as it takes until he is completely healthy and able to perform.
