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Leafs Captain Auston Matthews Receives Support From Unexpected NHL Star

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Dean Chaudhry
November 24, 2024 (6:32 PM)

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Toronto Maple Leafs' forward Auston Matthews look on during a road matchup against the Minnesota Wild.

Photo credit: Brace Hemmelgarn - Imagn Images

Leafs captain Auston Matthews received support from Vegas Golden Knights superstar Jack Eichel for his decision to push for his preferred treatment for his injury.

Auston Matthews has been sidelined for nearly a month with a mysterious upper-body injury. After being placed on injured reserve, the organization remained mum about the situation, until the new captain travelled to Germany for further treatment.

Of course, the fact that Matthews had to travel across the world to receive treatment was a worrying sign, but some believed it was the right course of action and even gave him some praise for going to those lengths, as covered by Nick Barden of The Hockey News.

Vegas Golden Knights' star Jack Eichel is no stranger to controversial treatments for concerning injuries and treatment as he underwent an experimental neck surgery that wasn't supported by his former team, the Buffalo Sabres, which ultimately led to his trade to Vegas.

"I think it's important. You have to express what you feel comfortable with and what you feel is the best treatment, whatever that might be. I feel like guys are more open, and you know what, teams are more open to it too. I think that's an important part as well," Eichel told reporters on Wednesday morning via TSN.ca.

"I think teams are communicating well with players and giving them the chance to see the people they want to see and I think that's been a big part of it as well. I think it goes both ways. It's good that he's been able to get the treatment that he needs, or wants. Hopefully, he can get healthy.

"I had a similar situation here years ago with my neck surgery. The [Vegas] organization was super supportive of what I wanted to do, so I give him a ton of credit on that."

It didn't sound like there was anything to be truly concerned about when it came to Matthews' injury and recovery timeline, and Brad Treliving believes that Matthews should be on the right track to a return to game-action sooner rather than later.

"More as a general checkup, but also to get some work done on his thing. It's not alarming," Treliving said. "It was something we've been discussing, knowing that he's going to be getting this week, but we're hopeful that once we get through the week here, he'll be back up and skating and his return to play would be after that."

While he is ruled out for tonight's game against Utah, Matthews' next chance to return would be Wednesday's game against Florida. Should they opt to give him some more time, the schedule would allow that as they wouldn't play again until Saturday in Tampa Bay.

Previously on MapleLeafsDaily

Massive Opportunity Presents Itself For Maple Leafs Prospect Ty Voit

Leafs GM Brad Treliving Shares Additional Information on Auston Matthews' Trip to Germany

Alex Nylander Has Very Clear Goal Ahead of NHL Return

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24 NOVEMBRE \| 2969 ANSWERS Leafs Captain Auston Matthews Receives Support From Unexpected NHL Star Do you buy that Auston Matthews is actually coming back at 100%?
Yes	920	31 %
No	2049	69 %
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