Tak7
Registered User
END OF SEASON - Auston Matthews
- On how he feels his first season as captain went - think there was a lot of growth there. Thought chief pushed him in different areas, and had plenty of support from teammates including John that have been around for a while. Was very eye opening, and wants to get better
- On how Chief pushed him and if he can give an example - can't give examples (LOL), but thinks the communication every day and talking to him brought about new ideas and is a good communicator from staff to players, and makes everyone feel important.
- On the pressure of the market - doesn't think it's ever really something that they talk about or focus on. It's the nature of playing in Toronto. Says he loves playing for Toronto, and playing for this fanbase and organization. The outside noise isn't really focused on or talked about in the locker room.
- On the physical challenges of the season - says it was very tough. Doesn't need to get into specifics of stuff. Syas he got injured in training camp, wasn't feeling great, and then went to Germany to try and feel better and try to manage it. Says there were stretches where he felt good, and other stretches where he didn't feel very good. Definitely a tough year, but is confident with time off and going through process and that he will be back 100% next season.
- Will he need surgery? No
- On whether he can share what happened? Is going to keep it to himself.
- Did his injuries impact his ability to shoot the puck? Says it impacted a lot of different things.
- On how important marner is for this team and how difficult it would be to lose him - says it's tough. says he's a brother, teammate, friend, says he is extremely close with him, and has been a huge part of their team for a while. Says unfortunately that's the nature of the business - people come and go, and he has the right to make his own decision.
- On playing with John Tavares - says it's been amazing. Says all the support, especially last summer with the captaincy, and mentorship he brings every day, is someone he leans on a lot for a lot of situations. Can't say enough good things about him.
- On even though he has the right to keep his injuries private, what about all the speculation that this silence could lead to - says it's his right to keep it to himself.
- On if concerns other teams may target his injuries, being a factor in keeping it private - says yeah, definitely, it's a factor (this feeds into previous rumors that Matthews was very upset tthat teams were targeting his hand early in his careeer once he injured it the first time and the team went public with it).
- On whether he re-aggravated any injury that he had in the past, during the playoffs - says there were stretches where he felt really good.
- On the challenges of trying to lead while battling injuries - doesn't look at it as a challenge. Feels very fortunate every day to wake up and do what he loves, and to have the opportunity to compete in the NHL with this group of guys and inthe city of Toronto. Doesn't view it like a challenge, but as being present every day.
- On teh differences this season felt - says this one stings the most because you make it down to 8 games, and a game away from final the final 4, and the eastern conference, says it sucks. Sasy the idea you are that close to being that close, stings.
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