Leafs Coach Assures Auston Matthews’ Injury is Manageable

TORONTO (AP) — In a recent update concerning the status of Toronto Maple Leafs‘ captain Auston Matthews, head coach Craig Berube expressed optimism regarding the player’s upper-body injury. Berube indicated that Matthews’ injury is not considered severe and that the star forward is expected to recover swiftly.

Matthews made a return to practice on Thursday after having been given a brief respite from the ice earlier in the week. This absence was described by Berube as maintenance-related. “We don’t want lingering injuries and things like that going on,” Berube commented to reporters, underscoring a cautious approach to Matthews’ health. “So, we’ve got to make sure that we’re smart.”

Despite his return to the practice rink, Matthews was absent from the Maple Leafs’ preseason home game against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night. Berube’s strategic decision comes as Matthews is set to start the first year of a lucrative five-year contract worth US$53 million, which emphasizes the team’s investment in managing his health prudently.

Auston Matthews, who impressively led the National Hockey League (NHL) with 69 goals in the previous season, assumed the role of the Maple Leafs’ captain in August, succeeding John Tavares. The Maple Leafs are scheduled to commence their regular season on October 9th with an opener against the Canadiens in Montreal.