Auston Matthews' season ending injury officially forces the Maple Leafs to embrace the tank
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
On Thursday, Auston Matthews received a dirty knee-on-knee hit from Anaheim Ducks defenceman Radko Gudas, and was awaiting and MIR on Friday to determine the status of his 2025-26 season.
Well, the results are now in and the team has announced that unfortunately Matthews is slated to miss the remainder of the season:
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that captain Auston Matthews sustained a Grade 3 MCL tear and quad contusion on March 12 during the second period of the team's game vs. the Anaheim Ducks.
Matthews will be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks. A further update will be provided at that time. He will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season
Matthews will be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks. A further update will be provided at that time. He will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season
With the team announcing that Matthews is out for the season, that means that the tank is officially on, and there's no real reason anymore for the team to try and win - the focus now turns to saving their draft pick.
The worst-case scenario is here: Why the Maple Leafs can't squander their only chance at a top-five pick
The worst-case scenario is here, and right now the Maple Leafs don't really have any excuses. With Matthews out for the season, losing each game gets them closer to winning a favourable draft slot.
While it's a genuine bummer that Matthews has dealt with yet another injury, it's time to take a look at what you have left. We know what to expect from him, but what about the other names who need to pick it up?
This is where your Nick Robertsons come into play. Throw him in the top-six instead of gluing him to the basement of the lineup, and let him thrive. If he floats, then you have an idea of what he can offer, if he sinks - cut the line.
Craig Berube also needs to start finding more creative ways to attack the penalty kill and defensive zone now that his best option is out. Let Jacob Quillan take PK1 responsibilities and see if he can handle NHL-level responsibilities, and put Easton Cowan on the ice every chance you get.
This is a silver lining despite everything else pointing to the opposite, as Toronto being down such a key player also makes them significantly worse, and for a team who needs to be as bad as possible, it's a blessing in disguise.
Though history shows the team performs well without their captain, and may feel motivated to play better in spite of his absence which would become their downfall when they see Boston picking sixth in this year's draft.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Radko Gudas granted phone hearing: Why NHL rules limit suspension to 5 games for Matthews hit
Radko Gudas granted phone hearing: Why NHL rules limit suspension to 5 games for Matthews hit
Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
MARS 13|1021 ANSWERS Auston Matthews' season ending injury officially forces the Maple Leafs to embrace the tank Do you think the Maple Leafs will lose the remainder of their games this season? | ||
| Yes | 452 | 44.3 % |
| No | 569 | 55.7 % |
| List of polls | ||