Auston Matthews' Status Raises New Questions for Maple Leafs Ahead of Season Opener
Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
According to TSN Overdrive, there are still concerns about Auston Matthews' injury status and whether he is fully healthy ahead of the October 8th season opener.
If the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to have a successful season a lot of that is going to ride on captain Auston Matthews and whether or not he can bounce back from a tough season last year.
Dealing with injuries and scoring a career low in goals, the fact that Mitch Marner is gone makes it even more imperative that Matthews is not only healthy but able to contribute at the elite rate that we are so accustomed to.
Auston Matthews' Health Still Questionable Ahead Of Season Opener
However for TSN's Overdrive, they believe that Matthews' health has to be brought into question ahead of the Oct. 8th season opener against Montreal and whether or not he's at 100%:
We don't know what his health situation is. The idea he is gong to be fully healthy is a big question mark. He'll say it when he arrives but I'll believe it when I see it.
But even if he came healthy, I think the absence of Mitch Marner is going to hurt him; he's instrumental. he assisted 50% of his regular season goals and 60% of his playoff ones.
Do the math. There's no denying there is going to be a transition period when his #1 guy isn't there anymore.
But even if he came healthy, I think the absence of Mitch Marner is going to hurt him; he's instrumental. he assisted 50% of his regular season goals and 60% of his playoff ones.
Do the math. There's no denying there is going to be a transition period when his #1 guy isn't there anymore.
It's a scary proposition to believe that the Maple Leafs won't have a healthy Matthews and the fact that Marner is gone will definitely hinder Matthews more than help; though there is a positive to hope for.
What the Maple Leafs Must Do if Matthews Isn't 100%
With Matthews' injury status is questionable, the Maple Leafs do have a ton of firepower regardless and it's going to be up to the other players to weather the storm if Matthews struggles.
It's likely that Matthews is going to have Max Domi on his wing and while there is a bit of chemistry there in years past, it'll be hard to see Domi as a top line option for the rest of the regular season and especially in the playoffs.
The search for a top-six forward is going to be one that also depends on the health of the captain, because if he can't get things going and needs that extra playmaker by his side, it'll be even more imperative for Brad Treliving to make a move somewhere.
Last season, Matthews only skated in 67 games but did manage 78 points (33 goals, 45 assists) but had the lowest goal output of his career, and was a huge step down from his 69-goal output the season prior.
So Toronto has to make sure that not only is Auston Matthews healthy but they can give the right help to the captain to get him back on track.
But only time will tell, and October isn't that far away.
TRENDING NOW
