Auston Matthews Sparks Concerns With Latest Comments About His Health Status
Auston Matthews has spoken about his health status since returning from an injury shrouded in secrecy, and it doesn't seem clear if the Maple Leafs captain is at 100% just yet.
Matthews, who left the team and headed to a doctor in Germany, taking an unconventional route to handle a nagging upper-body injury the Leafs have not gone into much detail on.
To reporters, Matthews spoke on his recovery and was asked if he was feeling at full health, to which Matthews replied with uncertainty as he navigates a bit of a slow start in his return for both himself and the Leafs.
It seems like the first couple of games, you're kinda running on adrenaline just because you've been out, and you're so excited to be back.
Then, obviously, the wear and tear and the grind of playing a lot kinda comes back. So, it takes a little bit of time to really get your full conditioning and everything back. But like I said, every day, every game, I'm feeling better.» - Auston Matthews
Toronto Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan spoke on the team not going into details on Matthews injury, saying that he was glad to have his star back and that not revealing details on his timeline and return was beneficial to the team.
As for Auston, whether it's him or any player on our team, we do everything we can to give them the best chance to improve and feel better.
There was nothing unusual about this situation. We're just glad he's back. We certainly missed him, and he's such an important part of our team.
I think Auston himself would say he missed playing and was eager to return." - Brendan Shanahan
Matthews Continues Strong Play Even While Returning to Form
Matthews has three goals, four assists & seven points in five games since his return to the lineup, but on the ice still appears to be getting into the mix of things, although it's a positive to the Toronto Maple Leafs being a PPG player even while not at his perceived full strength.
If Matthews feels there's another stepping stone left to bring his game back to where he feels he's in a comfortable place physically, it's a major benefit if that goal is attainable.
Matthews has 8 goals, 10 assists, & 18 points in 18 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs, on pace for an even PPG, although that's a bit below Matthews usual standard, having hit 69 goals and 107 points last season in Toronto.
Even 50 goals would be a productive year given time missed. On pace currently for 32 goals, which would be Matthews lowest total in his NHL career, one that includes the cancelled 2020-21 NHL season.
The Toronto Maple Leafs currently sit second in the Atlantic with a 16-9-2 record, two points of Toronto for first in the division.
If they want to be a winner, it starts with #34, and he needs to feel he's at his best to make sure the Leafs are a contending team come playoff time, a necessity with the potential it's the last without either Mitch Marner and John Tavares, and the possible last chance at a cup winning roster.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 10 | 975 ANSWERS Auston Matthews Sparks Concerns With Latest Comments About His Health Status Will Auston Matthews hit 50 goals this season? | ||
| Yes | 438 | 44.9 % |
| No | 537 | 55.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
