The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Friday that center Auston Matthews has been placed on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury, retroactive to November 3.
Head coach Craig Berube confirmed that Matthews will miss his second consecutive game as the team faces the Detroit Red Wings tonight. The injured reserve designation indicates that he will also be sidelined for Saturday’s match against the Montreal Canadiens. However, Matthews could be eligible to return for the home game against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday.
This roster move allows the Leafs to recall Connor Dewar, who has been rehabilitating from offseason surgery in the AHL.
Berube characterized Matthews’ injury as “day-to-day” and clarified that it is not related to his previous wrist surgery in 2021. NHL.com’s Dave McCarthy noted that while Matthews has been managing some discomfort this season, the current issue is not linked to earlier wrist problems.
In the current season, Matthews has recorded five goals and 11 points in 13 games, a slower start compared to his remarkable performance last year, where he achieved a career-high 69 goals and won his third Rocket Richard Trophy. His last appearance was on Sunday, where he contributed an assist in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild.
With Matthews out, third-line center Max Domi will take over the first line, playing alongside Mitch Marner and Matthew Knies against the Bruins. The Leafs excelled in their recent victory, utilizing strong special teams to secure a 4-0 win, which included three power-play goals and a perfect penalty kill performance.
Pontus Holmberg has shifted from wing to center on the third line to fill Domi’s previous role, while David Kämpf remains as the fourth-line center. Should Dewar be activated for tonight’s game, he may slot in on Kämpf’s wing.
Last season, Matthews missed only one game due to illness, marking his most games played since his Calder Trophy-winning campaign in 2016-17. He is now expected to miss a minimum of three games in the 2024-25 season.
Despite past successes without Matthews, including a 35-19-2 regular-season record and two playoff victories last spring, Max Pacioretty emphasized that there is “no replacing” the league’s top even-strength scorer. The Leafs will be eager to have Matthews back as they seek to improve their 7-5-2 record and challenge for the Atlantic Division lead against the Florida Panthers.