Leafs Fans Get Health Update on Auston Matthews from Craig Berube
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube reiterated how he felt regarding his captain Auston Matthews' health as questions surround his status heading into 2025-26.
All the Maple Leafs fans are hoping for this season (besides a Stanley Cup Finals appearance) is a fully healthy Auston Matthews. Last season was not the greatest in terms of both staying on the injured reserve, and in production; scoring a career-low 33 goals.
Granted he gave it all he could given his injuries, and put up a valiant effort that saw him bow out in seven games to Florida in the second round. Looking forward to this season, he's no doubt focused on making a bigger impact and without Mitch Marner in tow, he's going to have to be at his best.
Craig Berube Confident In Auston Matthews' Health For 2025-26
He admits that he's feeling great, and while we need to take him at face value, there are always concerns about if he's going to be at 100%.
Well, if we aren't going to trust the word of the captain, perhaps his head coach will suffice.
Speaking to Jonas Siegel of The Athletic recently, the Maple Leafs bench boss was very positive towards how he feels Matthews' health is going into 2025-26 and was confident that whatever he was dealing with is behind him:
I saw him here in Toronto a couple times.
He does look very good. I think he's stronger this year; he's put a little weight on.
He does look very good. I think he's stronger this year; he's put a little weight on.
We touched on why Matthews' weight gain was a positive for the Maple Leafs captain and how the adjustment could pay off for the team down the line.
Why Craig Berube's Confidence Can Make Or Break Auston Matthews
However, that confidence for as good as it is to hear, also comes with some risks. If Berube is pleased with how Matthews' health has progressed, he won't be shy about putting him in high-risk situations all the time.
While it could pay off for Toronto especially with how motivated he is, the team also has to be careful that they don't overwork their captain especially if he still isn't at 100 percent.
Plus, as we've seen several times last season, Berube's confidence in players only being out on a day-to-day Basies often led to multiple weeks on the IR, and Matthews wasn't left out when it came to that confusing transparency.
If Matthews can prove to his head coach that he's healthy and can handle the load given to him, it's going to pay off huge for Toronto at a time where they need their captain to step up when they need it most.
But we can never guarantee anything in the NHL and right now, all we can do is take Berube and Matthews at their word and hope for the best.
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