Maple Leafs Fans on Edge: Auston Matthews Injury Remarks Leave Team’s Playoff Hopes in Jeopardy

Auston Matthews offered comments to the media about his injury situation, and it’s the kind of thing that, when said, even if it wasn’t meant to concern the media or the fan base, will. He noted he is unsure if he’ll be able to move past his injury this season fully: “I don’t know. I hope so.”

This isn’t exactly what anyone wants to hear. Particularly not as Matthews’ return seems to be continually pushed back. At the very least, the organization is left guessing, hoping that their star center will get back into the lineup, but not sure how effective he’ll be when he does.

The report comes from Jonas Siegel of The Athletic, who writes that Matthews is in good spirits and feeling good about his progress. Still, he hasn’t played since December 20, and his undisclosed ailment, which has been an ongoing issue since training camp, might last all season.

Matthews explained:

“It’s tricky with these things sometimes. It’s a physical sport, it’s a contact sport, so things happen out there sometimes that are out of your control. So I’m just trying to manage it as best as I can, and we can, and you just go from there.”

Matthews Injury Uncertainty Leaves Leafs in a Tough Spot

Matthews won’t play Thursday. The early belief is that he won’t play Saturday or Sunday, either. When asked what he knew, head coach Craig Berube doesn’t have answers for when Matthews will be back. He only knows Matthews will play when Matthews tells him he’s ready to play.

Meanwhile, the Leafs captain is doing what he can to try and rest. Still, he’s eager to get going. “I’m not really somebody that likes to stay still for long, so I’m just trying to do what I can, maybe without overexerting certain things.”

Berube said, “Seeing him out here in practice and competing in a full practice is progress,” Berube said. “He’s going in the right direction, which is great. I know there’s no timeline, and we’re all looking for one.”

Until Matthews is back, or ruled out for the season, the Maple Leafs are going to be left in a fragile state of limbo. They need their star player back. And, at worst, if he can’t return or isn’t near full strength, the franchise needs to know they can try to find a replacement.