Something could be seriously wrong with the Toronto Maple Leafs Best Player
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews has reportedly sought a second opinion in Germany regarding his mysterious upper-body injury. Judging from the way things are going, the Leafs could be without their captain for a while.
A recent update on Auston Matthews’ injury is more about what wasn’t said than what was actually communicated.
The Athletic described Matthews’ trip to a “world renowned” clinic in which the Toronto Maple Leafs captain plans to seek treatment for a still undisclosed injury.
Meanwhile, Leafs GM Brad Treliving said per The Athletic that “it’s not alarming,” and Matthews will get a “general checkup.” Treliving added that Matthews will also “get some work done.”
Unless Treliving means by “getting some work done” that Matthews is getting plastic surgery, something could be seriously wrong with Auston Matthews.
Now, it’s important to note that due to labour laws, insurance issues, and general decency, teams are secretive and protective of their players’ health situations. A good example is how furtively the New York Islanders handled Ilya Sorokin’s surgery. If it hadn’t been for Patrick Roy’s Freudian slip, the cat would have never been out of the bag.
Incidentally, Sorokin had offseason back surgery. What the surgery was for or what the issue was, the Islanders never revealed.
It seems the Matthews situation is headed in the same direction. Leafs brass doesn’t want to sound the alarm just because it would be terrible press. Think about it. How would Leafs Nation react if it was revealed Matthews has a sports hernia and will be about for four months? He’s the headliner for Team USA at the 4 Nations tournament in February.
Moreover, what does a long-term Auston Matthews injury do to the Leafs’ roster construction heading into the second half of the season?
These are questions that the Leafs are hoping they won’t have to answer.
What happens if Auston Matthews heads to LTIR?
If the Toronto Maple Leafs decide to place Auston Matthews on LTIR, well, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. Hopefully, Matthews isn’t dealing with anything career-threatening. However, it is serious enough to warrant an overseas opinion by European doctors.
That being said, landing Matthews on LTIR would open up plenty of cap space for the Leafs to do something. Two of the last four Stanley Cup winners won by having their best players on the LTIR, spending the savings on players they otherwise couldn't afford, then entering the playoffs way over the salary cap that only matters in the regular season.
The types of moves we’re talking about are not mere depth pieces to round out the roster. For instance, someone like Kyle Palmieri of the New York Islanders or Frank Vatrano from the Ducks isn't going to do much more than what the Leafs already have. If they could spend Auston Matthew's cap hit on another player, expect them to go after the biggest available pending UFA, whoever that may be.
Thus far, Toronto has gotten away with playing without Matthews. In his absence, John Tavares has proven he’s still the quiet mild-mannered captain he’s always been. As for Mitch Marner, he’s exploded as the superstar we’ve all hoped he would become, playing at an MVP level and scoring two points in every game but one so far.
Perhaps there is something to the ludicrous accusation that Marner doesn’t like playing under Matthews’ shadow. The way Marner has played lately signals that the Leafs are his team.
Until we know for sure what’s going to happen with Matthews, the likelihood is that the Leafs will need to get used to life without their captain. Judging from the way things are going, it could be a while before Auston Matthews hits the ice again.
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I hope I’m wrong on that one.