Leafs reporter raises a concerning question about Auston Matthews
One Leafs reporter has raised a fair and concerning question regarding the health of Auston Matthews after a head injury took him out of action against the Boston Bruins in Round 1.
Sportsnet's Luke Fox wonders what, if any, ill effects another head injury may have on Matthews after missing a total of 7 periods of action against the Bruins in their first round series, also pointing out that Matthews looked under 100% upon his return.
"How concerning is it that Auston Matthews has now sustained multiple head injuries in his career — one in his sophomore season and another after a 'weird hit' in Game 4 of the Bruins series?
Sidney Crosby is the posterboy for stuffing head injuries in the rearview and going on to thrive for years afterward. We'll take it as a positive that Matthews got cleared to play Game 7 and set up a goal, despite looking something less than 100 per cent."
-Luke Fox on Auston Matthews
Obviously, there's no way to know for sure what the long-term effects of Matthews 2nd concussion will be. The obvious hope is that there's no lingering effects and that with enough rest, Matthews will come back stronger than ever in 2024-25. However, it's also a fair concern because once a player has suffered a concussion, the next one is not only easier to get, but could also see symptoms worsen and persist longer than the last.
Obviously, the Leafs took no chances with Matthews. Once the medical staff discovered that something wasn't quite right after the 2nd period in Game 4, they removed him from the game for the entire 3rd period and all of Games 5 and 6. The fact that he was cleared for Game 7, as Fox mentioned, was a very good sign that this issue is behind him. Still, the concern is there.
Previously on MapleLeafsDaily
POLL |
MAI 19 | 405 ANSWERS Leafs reporter raises a concerning question about Auston Matthews On a scale of 1-10, how concerned are you about Auston Matthews having suffered a second concussion? |
1-3, not overly concerned | 167 | 41.2 % |
4-6, moderately concerned | 159 | 39.3 % |
7-9, very concerned | 58 | 14.3 % |
10, extremely concerned | 21 | 5.2 % |
List of polls |
|
1 hour ago | By Nick Matthews Nick Robertson's Fate for Round 1 Revealed by the Maple Leafs |
|
3 hours ago | By Nick Matthews Scott Laughton Using Leafs Legends to Prepare For First Round Battle of Ontario |
|
4 hours ago | By Ryan Smitheram Maple Leafs Unveil Projected Lineup Ahead of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs |
|
6 hours ago | By Mike Armenti Trio of NHL Referees Officially Barred From Officiating in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs |
|
7 hours ago | By Ryan Smitheram Maple Leafs Winger Mitch Marner May Help the Leafs Land a True #1 Defenseman |
|
8 hours ago | By TJ Tucker Maple Leafs' Perspective on Struggling Forward Suddenly Shifting at the Right Time |
|
17 hours ago | By TJ Tucker Leafs Refuse to Share Secret Behind Mysterious Pre-Game Warmup Incident in Season Finale |
|
22 hours ago | By Nick Matthews Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving Argues Against Criticism of Captain Auston Matthews |