Brad Treliving May Be Forced to Block Auston Matthews From International Play
Should the Toronto Maple Leafs keep Auston Matthews from playing in the Four Nations Faceoff? One analyst seems to think so.
Auston Matthews has been out for six games as he battles a recurring injury that caused him to miss an earlier chunk of the season and how has him out again.
NHL Analyst and former GM Pierre McGuire thinks that Matthews should not play at the Four Nations Tournament. McGuire argues that the Four Nations is not marquee enough with the lack of teams for Matthews to risking himself to further injury, especially with countries missing.
Russia is not at the 4 Nations due to restrictions from the country's war in Ukraine, and other countries like Czechia and Slovakia aren't included in the tournament.
Top players absent from these teams include Russian Alex Ovechkin, Czech David Pastrnak, & Juraj Slafkovsky of Slovakia.
As well, players like Leon Draisaitl & Tim Stutzle of Germany, Nico Hischier & Roman Josi of Switzerland, & Nikolaj Ehlers of Denmark are among the names who are also absent.
Should Auston Matthews Skip The Four Nations And Focus On The Leafs?
If Auston Matthews isn't playing in the 4 Nations, it opens him up to return for the Toronto Maple Leafs whenever he can and his latest stint on the IR is more of a precautionary measure in order to keep a body up and allow Matthews to heal.
Ultimately, Auston Matthews will return when he feels he's ready, and the goal seems to be putting on the USA sweater for the first time since 2016.
TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reported that Auston Matthews will be ready by the Four Nations, and likely by February he may be back in action for then.
Auston Matthews seemed poised to return soon for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but first his main focus may be on winning with the Americans if that is when he returns, and the Leafs may have to live with that.
