Brad Treliving Finally Explains the Leafs Secrecy Behind Auston Matthews' Injury
GM Brad Treliving answered all questions surrounding Auston Matthews' injury and revealed his reason behind why the Leafs were so quiet.
With Auston Matthews out for the last two weeks, speculation has run rampant about the nature of his injury.
All we knew was the injury had nothing to do with a wrist injury that bothered Matthews in the past, and everything ranging from shoulder to neck to rib injuries were considered, and Matthews' trip to Munich to see a specialist didn't help calm concerns.
Fans were frustrated that Toronto was being so quiet regarding the nature of the injury and some wondered whether or not the Maple Leafs were hiding something from them.
But Brad Treliving wasn't having any of the speculation and gossip, trying to reassure fans, analysts, and his own team that the injury to Matthews was not going to be an issue:
It's curious what Treliving would think puts Matthews in jeopardy; many professional sports teams announce the extent of injuries, both to give fans and media a better idea of when they can expect players back.
Treliving hasn't shared much. Neither has Craig Berube. There's no NDA about announcing an injury, and he would harbor much less criticism if he was honest with the fans instead of trying to play coy.
What's positive about his statement is that Matthews won't need surgery (but again, you don't travel across the world for a simple opinion) and it may be longer before Matthews is back.
We won't see him Wednesday against Vegas or Sunday against Utah; and with so much extra time to recover it's hopeful that he comes back by December. Toronto has done fine without him, going 5-1-0 however it's unknown if they can sustain this run much longer.
Auston Matthews isn't the only Maple Leaf dealing with injury woes either.
David Kampf was placed on the IR, Calle Jarnkrok just underwent groin and hernia surgery, Max Pacioretty is out weeks with a leg issue, Max Domi is playing hurt, and both Connor Dewar and Jani Hakanpaa made their debuts earlier this year after struggling with injuries.
There's also the case of Ryan Reaves' suspension and being out for five games, and while it gives Toronto another chance to spark their bottom line production, it's still another mainstay out.
Brad Treliving needed to go against his beliefs and brought up Fraser Minten to fill in for Kampf as the Maple Leafs try to keep their momentum strong in the wake of all these downed players.
Toronto will have to wait longer until Auston Matthews is back on the ice, and all fans can hope for is a bit more transparency if Treliving can afford it.
| POLL | ||
Will Auston Matthews return by December? | ||
| Yes | 432 | 58.1 % |
| No | 226 | 30.4 % |
| He won't return until ASG | 30 | 4 % |
| Won't return this year | 55 | 7.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
