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Ex-Leafs Enforcer Turned Podcaster Shares Strong Opinion on Auston Matthews Situation
Photo credit: Brace Hemmelgarn - Imagn Images
As Auston Matthews' injury situation continues to draw conversation, Jay Rosehill is among the majority as he implores the Toronto Maple Leafs to play it safe.
With the NHL heading into the Christmas break, there wasn't supposed to be a lot of news breaking or debates to be had. However, the Toronto Maple Leafs did themselves no favours with their recent comments and handling of the Auston Matthews injury situation.
The former MVP has been dealing with a nagging upper-body injury since the pre-season and it has affected both his offensive production and availability for the club.
Matthews was sidelined for nearly the entirety of November before reportedly re-aggravating the injury once more just before the Christmas break.
Jay Rosehill is one of many pundits who are outraged by the handling of situation and is among those urging the Maple Leafs to play it safe, with the playoffs being the ultimate goal.
"I don't know what it is, but it kinda seems like it's a torso-y trunk, like a back or something, I'm not sure. He doesn't seem to be moving well. That cross-check kind of on the side seemed to cripple him.
I don't really want him playing until he's healthy... I don't want him looking like that in the playoffs or it's bye-bye time. It's too important. This season is too big... this is a big time in the Leafs' organization.
Why are you playing him in December when he can't even friggin' move and why is he going to the Four Nations Cup - the nobody cares cup? In a lot of ways - I don't like it at all. I'm more concerned about this team and the post-season than to see this guy dragging through this injury for no reason."
I don't really want him playing until he's healthy... I don't want him looking like that in the playoffs or it's bye-bye time. It's too important. This season is too big... this is a big time in the Leafs' organization.
Why are you playing him in December when he can't even friggin' move and why is he going to the Four Nations Cup - the nobody cares cup? In a lot of ways - I don't like it at all. I'm more concerned about this team and the post-season than to see this guy dragging through this injury for no reason."
While the injury itself and the way the Maple Leafs have handled it remains a major talking point, another cause for concern is the upcoming Four Nations tournament, where Matthews is expected to play for Team USA.
The Leafs' captain was one of the first 6 players named to the roster and a lot of players in the NHL were looking forward to finally representing their nation in international play.
The Maple Leafs are currently 2 points behind the Florida Panthers with one game in hand for the Atlantic Division lead as they entered the break with a 21-12-4 record.
Players like Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander have picked up the slack while Matthews has tended to his injury, so it's not out of the realm of possibility that they can keep it going for the foreseeable future if the Leafs do indeed play it safe.
This is not the year that many had hoped for or expected from Matthews. However, the ultimate goal is to have him ready and healthy for the post-season.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 25 | 3608 ANSWERS Ex-Leafs Enforcer Turned Podcaster Shares Strong Opinion on Auston Matthews Situation Should Auston Matthews back out of the Four Nations tournament? | ||
| Yes | 3212 | 89 % |
| No | 396 | 11 % |
| List of polls | ||
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