The Toronto Maple Leafs announced that centre Auston Matthews will be sidelined for at least the next four weeks with a shoulder injury.
Auston Matthews (shoulder) is expected to be out a minimum of four weeks and will be placed on injured reserve today. #LeafsForever
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) October 29, 2018
Matthews was hit by Winnipeg Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba during the second period of Saturday night’s game. He played just 7:38 and managed three shots on goal before leaving the ice. Matthews didn’t return to the game after the hit. He suffered a similar shoulder injury last year for the Leafs, though the team notes that it is the opposite shoulder.
Matthews heads to the tunnel after taking a big hit from Trouba. pic.twitter.com/ItKCJlVYI7
— Flintor (@TheFlintor) October 28, 2018
Auston Matthews Out With Shoulder Injury
The first overall pick in 2016 is in his third season with the Leafs. This season Matthews has 10 goals and six assists for 16 points in just 11 games; good for the team lead, and third in the NHL.
Matthews has only committed one minor penalty this season, but his boxscore stats hide a concerning – if likely short-term – problem. His possession numbers are 49.5 percent Corsi-for with a relative Corsi of -0.4; not the kind of numbers an elite top line centre should deliver. Matthews has 84 goals and 64 assists for 148 points in 154 career games.
What This Means for the Future
This is a huge loss for the Leafs as Matthews is their top offensive player. The Leafs will especially miss Matthews on the powerplay where he is a vital part of their man advantage. He’s currently leading the Leafs in goals so far this season. Matthews is set to be a restricted free agent at the end of the season. The spotlight will now turn to John Tavares with Matthews out. The Leafs will look to either Nazem Kadri to take Matthews role on the second line.
Even with Matthews out the Leafs will continue to be strong contenders in the East.
It will be interesting to see if Matthews injury puts more pressure to sign William Nylander to a contact.
Main Photo: BOSTON, MA – APRIL 25: A dejected Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) after Game 7 of the First Round for the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 25, 2018, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeated the Maple Leafs 7-4. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
