Setback for Auston Matthews: Craig Berube's Critical Update on Return Timeline
It's not the start to 2025 that the Toronto Maple Leafs or their fans wanted as head coach Craig Berube shared some unfortunate news regarding Auston Matthews.
The Leafs finished their 2024 season off strong with a New Year's Eve matinee win against the New York Islanders. It was a dominant showing that should have ushered in a positive 2025.
But on the first day of the year, head coach Craig Berube gave an update regarding Auston Matthews and it wasn't good. Going to miss his sixth straight game due to his nagging lower-body injury, it seems like there's no telling when he's returning:
It's a terrible piece of news for the Maple Leafs and completely erases the progress Matthews had made over the past few days, being seen on the ice not only on his own but in a full practice but never suited up in Toronto's game.
He's eligible to return at any time from the LTIR however given that there's going to be another extended absence; that return could be toward the spring. Toronto needs him to be at his healthiest, so a lengthy recovery may be needed but it doesn't make the news sting any less.
Craig Berube's Comments Lead To A Lot Of Speculation
It's disheartening to hear the latest update on Matthews, not only because it make Toronto a worse team now, but leaves a lot of questions regarding his future.
If Matthews is going to be out another few games, that will put him at nearly 20 missed games; almost a quarter of the season. Not to mention there's the potential he wants to play for Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off. (something the team can't prevent).
But the main question now is: Will Matthews be ready for the playoffs? Toronto certainly needs him to be, but they can't rush him back. It's a delicate balance between recovery and readiness and with him already injured twice; one small slip up in the postseason and it's game over.
Toronto has the firepower necessary to weather another lengthy absence but if they start to get injured or struggle due to the added pressure it could turn a bad season into an even worse one. Berube won't take complacency, and Toronto needs to minimize mistakes as best as they can.
This season Matthews has only 11 goals and 12 assists in what is the worst statistical season of his career thus far.
