Player Discussion Auston Matthews (Captain Edition)

[Stephen]

Hey the beat reporters have families to feed

Can we call up Minten for Christ's sake. We're swapping Kampf and Holmberg around at 2C.

Yeah I would just have Minten come up to avoid a Holmberg 2C type situation.

 

[Ports]

The way the Leafs try to control the message on the injury front is atrocious. I understand they're doing it to protect the player, based on his wishes, but the months long, not getting better injury just looks so bad when they make up stuff like the injury won't get worse with wear and tear... how is that medically possible? Now it just looks like they're wasting months on a wait and see approach and it's as bad as ever.

There are definitely injuries a player can play through without making it worse. The issue is the level of discomfort and impact on mobility and strength that the injury causes. Back injuries are typical of that type of injury. I injured my back in my early twenties and could play with a back support but had pain and stiffness after the game. Back surgery can be a risky procedure that doesn’t fix the problem often enough to be taken likely. That is what I think could be the case with Matthews.

I’ll tell ya what type of captain he isn’t, matthews would never try and play every meaningless regular season game to get 70 goals then miss half the first rd because of sickness, he would always put the team before himself and rest

Well if he’s not healed before the Four Nations Face Off then I guess he won’t be suiting up for the US.

 

[colchar]

I haven't read Eklund since 2005.

And yet you posted this thread the same day he floated the exact same idea. But that is just coincidence eh?

 

[supermann_98]

Well if he’s not healed before the Four Nations Face Off then I guess he won’t be suiting up for the US.

He should not be suiting up for the US team at all, not with how wonky his hip/back is right now, not to mention MLSE isn’t paying him top dollar to play for team USA in an absolutely meaningless tournament.

We need him healthy for the stretch run and playoffs, the chance to play best on best will come for him next olympics, but first let’s focus on the leafs and the playoffs

 

[centipede2233]

I can see it now, he plays the 4 nations, gets injured for the season and misses the playoffs, captain matthews! He’s the captain alright, the captain of his own self

 

[ULF_55]

With or without, I have no idea what this team is?

Top 9 in the league, but ... a mirage or is that who they are?

Stolarz last played December, one period ... Woll hasn't been consistent.

Goalie is a huge part of the team.

Probably more important than the Captain.

 

[trellaine201]

Sure hope they make a decision soon. Surgery or not. Hop hop let’s get on this.

 

[BraveCanadian]

Yeah I would just have Minten come up to avoid a Holmberg 2C type situation.

Agree

 

[ULF_55]

He got his contract now we'll see if he can earn it.

Seems since he signed he takes more games off.

Maybe headed to the Malkin area code.
Several early career awards, and just an extremely good player since.

 

[supermann_98]

He got his contract now we'll see if he can earn it.

Seems since he signed he takes more games off.

Maybe headed to the Malkin area code.
Several early career awards, and just an extremely good player since.

Difference being Malkin won 3 cups and a conn smythe before going down that area code

 

[Enniskillen]

Sadly, Matthews is not a captain material. Stone, Eichel, Kuch are all proven LTIR warriors, who lead their respective teams to winning cups. Leafs 1C can’t spell the word “warrior”. Who knows, maybe LTIR is a blessing in disguise to improve the team.

 

[supermann_98]

I can see it now, he plays the 4 nations, gets injured for the season and misses the playoffs, captain matthews! He’s the captain alright, the captain of his own self

If he can’t read the room that is the Toronto maple leafs fan base I would hope his PR reps would give him the risk analysis of playing by the 4 nations and how vilified he would be by the fans and the media if this were to happen, particularly as the captain of the leafs. People would be calling for them to strip the C and give it to Marner for crying out loud

 

[usernamezrhardtodo]

good thing only a 4 year contract

The amount of Hubris to only take short term deals relative to other players in order to squeak out every last dollar amazes me to no end. If he does end up being damaged goods and doesn't get the payday he wants...it will be a warning to any other young greedy player coming up for UFA for generations to come.

If he's still injured he won't.

I bet he will still try and play unless it's crippling and has no choice. I don't see him putting the team ahead of his own desires...has he ever done anything to suggest he would put the team first?

 

[trellaine201]

Like the 4 nations cup means anything. Not the best in the world there anyways. Blah tournament.

 

[SprDaVE]

The amount of Hubris to only take short term deals relative to other players in order to squeak out every last dollar amazes me to no end. If he does end up being damaged goods and doesn't get the payday he wants...it will be a warning to any other young greedy player coming up for UFA for generations to come.


I bet he will still try and play unless it's crippling and has no choice. I don't see him putting the team ahead of his own desires...has he ever done anything to suggest he would put the team first?

If he's as selfish as you proclaim him to be, why would he want to play in that tournament then?

Like I get the frustration and all but this is a little much.

 

[usernamezrhardtodo]

If he's as selfish as you proclaim him to be, why would he want to play in that tournament then?

Like I get the frustration and all but this is a little much.

He would want to play in the tournament to have attention I guess. Are you saying him wanting to play when he's been injured all year instead of recovering completely is not selfish?

 

[TheGroceryStick]

The funny part is. You usually can say “if this were playoffs, he’d definitely be playing!”

But with Auston , who knows. Yay captain.

 

[SprDaVE]

He would want to play in the tournament to have attention I guess. Are you saying him wanting to play when he's been injured all year instead of recovering completely is not selfish?

We're still 2 months away. Why assume the worst and assume his intentions? It's pretty clear to me that if he isn't healthy by then he won't play, and that goes for any player on any roster. If he's 100% and playing fine, I don't see why he couldn't be there either.

If he's in and out of the lineup or not healthy and tries to play, then I'll be on your side I guess. No way the Leafs let that happen though.

 

[therealkoho]

Sounds like he will be back next game.

Oh well!

 

[therealkoho]

Matthews might have got too greedy

Ya think?

 

[therealkoho]

I would sit him until Saturday's game against Boston.

Don't think that choice is the Leafs to make.

 

[Stephen]

There are definitely injuries a player can play through without making it worse. The issue is the level of discomfort and impact on mobility and strength that the injury causes. Back injuries are typical of that type of injury. I injured my back in my early twenties and could play with a back support but had pain and stiffness after the game. Back surgery can be a risky procedure that doesn’t fix the problem often enough to be taken likely. That is what I think could be the case with Matthews.


Well if he’s not healed before the Four Nations Face Off then I guess he won’t be suiting up for the US.

It’s nonsense that the injury can’t get worse with wear and tear because he played. And it got worse… and he had to stop playing.

 

[ACC1224]

It’s nonsense that the injury can’t get worse with wear and tear because he played. And it got worse… and he had to stop playing.

What if it’s a different injury?

 

[Leafs98]

Hey the beat reporters have families to feed

These guys need to get the low down like is it ortho, nerve or soft tissue back injury. Would surgery even help...we need more info !

 

[Stephen]

What if it’s a different injury?

Then you’d be dealing with a months long injury and a freshly debilitating injury.