Nick Kypreos: Maple Leafs Send a Clear Message to Auston Matthews
Former Maple Leafs player and current analyst Nick Kypreos spoke about how he would handle the Auston Matthews injury situation, and what the team has signaled.
On Tuesday it was announced that Auston Matthews was going to be day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
His absence didn't affect Toronto as they shut out Boston 4-0 and looked like a full, cohesive unit. News also broke today that Matthews' status for Friday and Saturday's games were in doubt as he hasn't even skated yet:
It's a worrying sign that the Maple Leafs captain hasn't skated yet, and Toronto may be a bit coy on his status as of now.
Maple Leafs analyst and co-host of the Real Kyper and Bourne podcast, Nick Kypreos; says Toronto is signaling to Matthews to relax, and also had a message for the Maple Leafs captain:
So, if in fact he is on some heater again and pushes 50 goals or 60 goals, that will never happen again.
That ridiculous end of last season when the push was to drive these guys to the end, the distraction of 70 goals, 60, even 50 this season won't come into play.
What they're saying is 'Auston, we don't care about the number of goals you score anymore.
What we care about is you are at the height of your game, the team is feeling good, it's about the playoffs and not the number you have to hit.'"
Kypreos also talked about how Toronto needs to not rush Matthews back into action, as it would be harmful to both the team and their captain:
That's the #1 thing that made me say what I just said is that we need to be abundantly clear you're not coming back to feel like you need to produce a goal a game."
It's a clear signal to Matthews that while the extra goals are certainly appreciated, it's a full team effort. Knowing that the team is in a good spot, Matthews certainly shouldn't rush a return.
He's closing in on the prime of his career, he's already broken records, and he's going to be the greatest scorer in franchise history.
There is nothing Matthews needs to do now except win in the playoffs and get the Stanley Cup.
Scoring a bunch is great, but not at the risk of injuring yourself or being a detriment to the team.
His slow start this year could be covered up by a nagging injury he wasn't initially clear about, but upon his eventual return, he needs to refocus.
Auston Matthews is the greatest player the Maple Leafs have had in the past 20 years, but it matters not unless he wins something worthwhile.
Kypreos, fans of Toronto, and the team as a whole, have a message for Matthews:
We don't care about your goals. We care about winning.
