Injury Report: Matthews - Update 11/30 -- Off IR and back

[Stephen]

But again, what does the team actually gain from being transparent here? Other than broadcast a potential target on part of Matthews body?

Truthworthiness is being underrated here.

On the ice, I don’t think keeping it super vague really helps the player either. Will it stop others from hitting Matthews when he’s back? We all know Mitch Marner had a high ankle injury. Are people targeting his ankle every shift?

All this is doing is breeding speculation and ultimately mistrust.

 

[Stephen]

To stop the endless speculation. The lack of transparency makes it a much bigger talking point. There would be less oxygen given to the story if the team just came out and said his back is messed up.

I more so blame the league though. Given how they have partnerships with gambling it’s pretty absurd how there aren’t more rules in place to force teams to provide info. Starting goaltending and injuries should have to be provided in the same way things work in the NFL.

If they said he had a back injury and is out X amount of time, that’s a one time shock and people move on, and the player recovers off stage. That’s what happens with 99% of injuries in the NHL.

The way this is going, the organization and media is leaking vague reports to explain every absence, every little thing.

 

[Dekes For Days]

To stop the endless speculation.

Speculation never stops. Especially in Toronto. In fact, information often just generates more speculation. Fans may selfishly want every detail, but it really does nothing but hurt the player and team. That's why nobody discloses anything in the playoffs.

 

[Tie Domi Esquire]

Can't rely on this guy. At any point of the year... or game... he might just disappear without a trace or even an explanation.

Oh yeah and he also won't perform even when in the lineup.

 

[Stephen]

None of that is news, new, or a revelation.

Reports are he was there for treatment.

You don't fly 18 hours to review a chart. Chart/medical report reviews are done electronically all the time in health care. All the money in the world doesn't recover 18 hours of sitting on a plane, whether you are a billionaire or pauper time passes.

Also think about the discomfort of flying on a private jet if you had a back related injury for 18 hours. The treatment you receive would have to be worth it to go through that kind of physical hassle. If it was routine you could just have a conference call with the local doctors.

 

[The Shrike]

I don't know about that, I've never read that the Germans have superior surgeons to the Americans.

...what they do have however is this type of blood treatment, where they extract some of your blood, enrich it, and pump it back in. That helps with the overall healing process for some chronic ailments. NBA players like Kobe and Lebron and I think Dirk too have done that procedure.

So if I were to speculate, that's what he's probably doing there, possibly for a lingering back injury.

Worked wonders for Lance Armstrong.

 

[The Shadow]

Can't rely on this guy. At any point of the year... or game... he might just disappear without a trace or even an explanation.

Oh yeah and he also won't perform even when in the lineup.

Last playoffs was a strange one. Guys play hurt when it’s playoff time.

 

[sxvnert]

Every time he starts to knock a few players around he injuries himself. Soft as butter.

 

[crump]

When Matthews was with Zurich in his draft year, he slid head first into the boards and missed a month with a back injury. Is this is possibly the doctor who worked with him then? If it is he did a good job, because it’s been 8 years and it didn’t affect him again until now.

 

[Nogatco Rd]

I don't know about that, I've never read that the Germans have superior surgeons to the Americans.

...what they do have however is this type of blood treatment, where they extract some of your blood, enrich it, and pump it back in. That helps with the overall healing process for some chronic ailments. NBA players like Kobe and Lebron and I think Dirk too have done that procedure.

So if I were to speculate, that's what he's probably doing there, possibly for a lingering back injury.

they do that in the states now too.. platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy. I had it done once after I broke my foot. Was back to playing about a week afterwards.

 

[mapleleaf979]

Matthews disappearance is suspicious. Leafs wont say why he is gone, the captain. Red flag. People lie when its bad vs saying what it is.

 

[DarkKnight]

Sounds more and more to me like his back.

 

[Tak7]

If they said he had a back injury and is out X amount of time, that’s a one time shock and people move on, and the player recovers off stage. That’s what happens with 99% of injuries in the NHL.

The way this is going, the organization and media is leaking vague reports to explain every absence, every little thing.

While I agree that leaving it vague has created a vacuum ripe for speculation, the Leafs really don't benefit from being more transparent IF it is a more serious injury.

If, for example, it is something that requires longer term intervention / rest / management / surgery, and the entire league knows about it, you're going to get 31 other GMs throwing the Leafs an anvil instead of a life vest in any trade scenario for a forward

 

[Stephen]

While I agree that leaving it vague has created a vacuum ripe for speculation, the Leafs really don't benefit from being more transparent IF it is a more serious injury.

If, for example, it is something that requires longer term intervention / rest / management / surgery, and the entire league knows about it, you're going to get 31 other GMs throwing the Leafs an anvil instead of a life vest in any trade scenario for a forward

I don’t agree. All the secrecy around the player isn’t going to stop a guy from hitting Matthews his first game back and other teams aren’t going to lower their price on the trade market because they already think they have Toronto over a barrel with Matthews out anyway.

 

[DarkKnight]

And honestly sounds like more load management than serious. Trying to get it to settle down for awhile, rather than him playing in discomfort. This explains the constantly moving timetables. I mean how bad can it be if he's sitting commercial for 8 hours on a flight? My back can't take that.

 

[usernamezrhardtodo]

Oh, I've heard it said - absolutely. I think Germany is the destination of choice, certainly for Europe's wealthy. I know Massachusetts and Texas and I think Virginia and California are hubs as well, but, from my understanding, the training and the results are peerless coming out of Germany.

Interesting re: blood treatment. Haven't come across that tidbit before.

I went to Dallas for Stem cell treatment on my back...way closer than Germany if that is what his issue is. I honestly don't know why more pro athletes don't use stem cell treatment...especially for inflammation. It takes it away almost overnight...it's kind of shocking at how effective it is.

 

[mapleleaf979]

Can't rely on this guy. At any point of the year... or game... he might just disappear without a trace or even an explanation.

Oh yeah and he also won't perform even when in the lineup.

Correct. A lingering back issue or a partying issue will look the same. Its a no show effort in both circumstances. Now he is in Germany, to further the secret. Toxic situation.

 

[mapleleaf979]

delete

 

[Evilhomer]

When Matthews was with Zurich in his draft year, he slid head first into the boards and missed a month with a back injury. Is this is possibly the doctor who worked with him then? If it is he did a good job, because it’s been 8 years and it didn’t affect him again until now.

This still strikes me as the most likely scenario.

 

[Squiffy]

How can we be sure his name is even Auston Matthews?

I mean think about it, have we ever even seen Auston Matthews and Jack White at the same time?

 

[Racer88]

Good thing they didn't announce anything. Now other teams won't target the highest paid player in the league...

The Leafs are spending more than half of the salary cap on 5 soft skaters and now we're going to pretend not only that they want to win, but they are worried about them being targeted?

Ya thank god he is safe from other players bouncing him around. We dodged a bullet on that one

 

[Racer88]

Also think about the discomfort of flying on a private jet if you had a back related injury for 18 hours. The treatment you receive would have to be worth it to go through that kind of physical hassle. If it was routine you could just have a conference call with the local doctors.

The plane probably has a hot tub and a mini bar………it ain’t no hassle

Maybe it’s rehab……a 12 step program away from prying eyes

 

[Maple Leaf]

get some rest sweet prince

 

[Evilhomer]

If someone said he was going to San Diego for treatment, no one would blink an eye. Meanwhile, the flight to San Diego is almost as long as the flight to Frankfurt.

 

[PromisedLand]

Such a weird statement. No set backs but travelled to another continent to see a specialist?

https://x.com/i/web/status/1858920638485856694

https://x.com/i/web/status/1858921436720631972

HOLY COW

may be 4 year deal wasn't a bad thing......