Auston Matthews’ Setback Sparks LTIR Debate for Maple Leafs

Auston Matthews, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ star center and top goal scorer, is facing continued injury challenges, the latest news coming on Saturday that he would not be available in the game versus the New York Islanders. While the severity of his injury is unknown, it is reportedly related to his recent issues and fans, along with a few insiders, are calling for the organization to consider Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) until he is fully recovered.

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While LTIR would give the Leafs salary flexibility and a chance to potentially add with Matthews out of the lineup until the playoffs, making a call like this isn’t black and white.

Having scored 50 goals in four consecutive seasons, Matthews is the team’s best scorer. And, despite their winning record with him out of the lineup for several games this season, he is crucial to the Leafs’ success. Not only that, but there’s a matter of a not-so-small 4 Nations Tournament that Matthews desperately wants to be a part of.

For the Leafs, this decision will force them to weigh his injury concerns, what they can manage with him out, and how frustrated he would be if the team shut him down and forced him out of the 4 Nations Face-Off.

What Are The Positives In LTIR for Matthews?

The reason for so many cries to use LTIR as a tool here is because an LTIR designation allows the Maple Leafs to exceed the salary cap by Matthews’ salary. This would provide the team with the flexibility to make roster moves to improve the team while Matthews remains sidelined. Financially, it’s a great move based on the way the collective bargaining agreement allows teams to use a loophole to add significantly when an expensive player goes down.

There are also questions about why the team (or Matthews himself) is pushing to play through discomfort. As Sportsnet 590 The FAN points out, Matthews has been playing at less than 100%, with some suggesting he is only operating at about 60% of his usual level, raising doubts about his readiness for the demanding schedule. Why not shut him down until he’s fully healthy? He traveled all the way to another continent to get his injury looked at and it didn’t seem to help. LTIR could be a legitimate option.

There Are Risks Putting Matthews on LTIR

While the Leafs have managed to stay competitive without Matthews, boasting a solid 42-21-2 all-time record without him, the team faces a tough decision. It’s imperative they proceed cautiously when it comes to their captain’s health. However, they also want to keep him happy and know that without him, the odds of winning games decrease. To be OK with knowing Matthews would be out the rest of the season is a big ask.

With the calendar turning to December, many are urging the team to shut Matthews down temporarily, but that’s not something they can do if the plan is to spend his cap money on someone else. The Leafs would have to keep Matthews out until the playoffs; otherwise, they risk needing to find room to re-activate him when he’s ready to go.

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