New Leafs Forward Leaks Some Information About Auston Matthews After Recent Captains Skate

Looking back on a successful 2024-25 regular season, it's easy to overlook the fact that Auston Matthews played just 67 games en route to helping guide the Leafs to an Atlantic Division title.

Matthews confirmed himself during the Leafs' locker clean-out day that he had been injured for the entire season, and only recently was the public made aware of just how injured he was, playing at well under 50% last season.

Thankfully, Matthews is fully healthy coming to training camp, and one new addition, former Canadiens forward Michael Pezzetta has kept a close eye on the three-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner and can confirm that Matthews looked great at the "captains skates" this past week, ahead of the start of camp.

Pezzetta spoke with the media on Monday while participating in the Leafs' charity golf tournament, sharing that Matthews' reps are looking very "crisp" and that it's not hard to see the obvious skill he possesses, which could mean that Matthews is indeed healthy and ready for another big season.

This is wonderful news for Matthews, who appears poised for a bounce-back year after producing the lowest single season goal total in his NHL career.

While losing Mitch Marner will sting, Matthews still has a boatload of individual talent that he can lean on to create more opportunites for himself. He also has other playmakers, such as Matias Maccelli or Max Domi, who might fit in well in that role.

Matthews has two 60-plus goal seasons under his belt, and when he is healthy and playing with confidence, there are few players, if any, who can do what he can do.