Brad Treliving Reveals What's Really Going On With Auston Matthews' Injury
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving explained Auston Matthews' injury status at his end of the season press conference, but didn't give too much away regarding his captain.
At his end of season press conference, Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving was candid in his assessment of the team. From saying they needed a change in their DNA, to addressing Mitch Marner's future; nothing was off the table for the long-time executive.
But one question that was pretty important too was that of captain Auston Matthews' health.
Clearing the air about what happened, Matthews admitted that he was dealing with an injury early in the year, and Treliving seemed to back up that statement pretty clearly:
He was able to play through it.
He certainly did minus the 15-game slate he was absent, but while you can definitely say he had a solid season, it was anything but Matthews-esque.
Auston Matthews' Struggles Due To Myriad Of Factors However
An injury is going to be a huge issue regardless, and the fact that Matthews went half way across the world in order to figure out what was wrong wasn't a good sign.
Fighting through things was admirable, but one needs to wonder how much he might have improved if he had surgery (even though he claims he doesn't need it).
Matthews still managed 78 points in 67 games (33G, 45A) and while those goal numbers are down, his playmaking and defense helped him keep pace with career point average.
But even if he was injured, you have to look at what Matthews was doing when he was on the ice.
Craig Berube looked at him as a primary defensive option, and using him more and more in those types of situations allowed for a lack of prime scoring opportunities.
His xGF% plummeted from last year's historic output, but his xGA% improved, he was expected to play on the penalty kill, and while he didn't hit the same blocks and hits total as last year; he still managed 89 blocks but only 45 hits.
Call it being cautious due to injury, or Berube explaining he doesn't need to hit as much (especially with Matthew Knies beside him), but he still made a difference regardless.
Craig Berube Transforming Auston Matthews Into A True Center
Many noted how Matthews improved as a complete center under his head coach, and while fans were upset that they didn't see as much of a goal-scoring presence, you have to admire the work he put in on defense in the wake of his injury.
While Matthews is undoubtedly Toronto's best goal-scorer, if he manages to become a more well-rounded player while still contributing 45-50 goals, that makes him even more elite.
Under Berube, if players are tighter, grittier, and working hard every play and the defense gets even better; they don't need four or five goals a game to win, and Matthews doesn't need to score 69 for them to succeed.
So while Matthews may have played through an injury, and one that may have cost him some goodwill with fans due to his lack of production, he certainly became a better player this season.
Which means once he's healthy next year, who knows how dominant he can be once again.
| POLL | ||
MAI 30 | 650 ANSWERS Brad Treliving Reveals What's Really Going On With Auston Matthews' Injury Should Auston Matthews have surgery to repair whatever is ailing him? | ||
| Yes obviously! | 577 | 88.8 % |
| No he doesn't need it! | 73 | 11.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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