The Toronto Maple Leafs have placed Auston Matthews on IR. This move is retroactive to Sunday, November 3. TSN’s Chris Johnston reported the news, but quickly added the move is for roster management purposes.
Auston Matthews Placed on IR
Matthews has been day-to-day since he got injured in Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Wild. This injury was listed as an upper-body injury. The Maple Leafs captain notched an assist and played 22 minutes before leaving the game. Toronto’s standout missed Friday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings and will miss Saturday’s matchup with the rival Montreal Canadiens.
The 27-year-old has five goals and six assists for 11 points in 13 games this season. Matthews had been off to slow start early on, but had been playing better before the injury. He has a Corsi for of 59.5 and a relative Corsi of 12.6.
The San Ramon, Calif. native has 373 goals and 287 assists for 660 points in 575 career games. Toronto took Matthews with the first overall pick of the 2016 NHL Drat. Matthews is a three-time Rocket Richard winner, a Hart Trophy winner and Calder Trophy winner.
What It Means
The Leafs will be without one of their key players, but they did beat the Boston Bruins the last time out. Toronto may be able to get by without its captain. However, missing Matthews for any extended length of time will hurt.
Johnston did point out that Matthews hasn’t suffered any setbacks in his recovery. Putting Matthews on injured reserve is roster move just so head coach Craig Berube can have enough players on the roster.
Toronto called up Connor Dewar and took him off injured reserve in order to fill the roster spot left with Matthews going on IR. Players like William Nylander, Mitch Marner and John Tavares will have to step up while Matthews is out of the lineup.
Main photo by: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
