'I'm Really Happy': Auston Matthews Shares Encouraging Health Update Before Leafs Training Camp

Speaking to NHL.com, Matthews spoke on his injury status, having missed part of the season twice due to an unknown upper-body injury that had him seeing a specialist in Germany as part of his recovery.

His return didn't ease all concerns as Matthews struggled at times, including on what has been his bread-and-butter in goalscoring, which he found difficult getting to the net and at times being more passive to chances he'd take.

The new comments by Matthews will be a positive for fans to hear about where he feels he is coming into the season with the time off.

Matthews spoke on his health, and says that he's made the progress needed that should revitalize him back to his old self.

Matthews doesn't say he's to his past form, the one that has scored 60 goals twice and won the Hart Trophy and three Rocket Richard's, but it will be hoped that with his injury issues now seemingly behind him, that Matthews can come back.

Needing their captain and top player in the lineup, Toronto will be hungry for offense and will need Matthews to step up. He won't have his main playmaker in Mitch Marner this season and will need to be able to create more chances for himself to make up for it.

A healthy Auston Matthews is essential for the Toronto Maple Leafs to succeed. Toronto has already lost one forward permanently, and they can't afford for Matthews to miss another stretch of time again, with less help in his absence than before.

The Leafs forward core of William Nylander, John Tavares, & Matthew Knies are all capable forwards that can step in if needed, but much of the Leafs offense revolves around Matthews natural goalscoring sense.

Mentioned too in his interview is Matthews having a greater intensity ahead of the Olympics in Turin, in which he'll be looking to bounce back from his Four Nations heartbreak and claim gold for America, an intensity he'll need to have in Toronto as well.

The Leafs will need Matthews to lead by example, but they'll also have to find their own way and not just rely on Matthews to score goals, especially the bottom-six. With Matthews in charge, Toronto will need a team effort if they want to win and hoist the cup.

A healthy Matthews that is motivated to put last season behind him has the potential to be a mental nightmare for opponents if Matthews is able to put his hunger into dominating on the ice.