Maple Leafs Captain Auston Matthews Provides Odd Response to Question About His Health

Just before the Toronto Maple Leafs Game 7 loss to the Florida Panthers in the second round of the NHL's 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Matthew Tkachuk shared some surprising comments on Leafs' captain Auston Matthews.

Tkachuk praised Matthews for his play at both ends of the ice in the series, and his leadership in the locker room after the two played as teammates at the 4 Nations Face-off back in February.

That has done little to stop both analysts and fans from bashing Matthews for his lack of scoring against Florida, though, with many assuming the three-time Maurice "Rocket" Richard trophy winner was playing through injury.

Matthews has always been weary of openly discussing any ailments he might have, and stuck to that rule after the Game 7 defeat. He was asked pointblank if he was healthy, but Matthews insisted he didn't want to talk about it.

Members of the Maple Leafs core pleaded with front office to keep the team together while reflecting on the loss, but the consensus seems to be that's very unlikely to happen.

Coach Craig Berube shared his honest thoughts on the Game 7 loss saying the team simply couldn't handle what the Panthers were throwing at them. Meanwhile, there are calls for Maple Leafs to end the current era of Mitch Marner and Brendan Shanahan by letting Marner walk in free agency, and showing the President of the team the door after more than a decade in the position.

Whether that happens remains to be seen, but it's doubtful it will be a quiet summer for the Maple Leafs organization.