NHL News

Insider: Maple Leafs to Consider 2 Last-Ditch Options for Matthews

NHL insider Nick Kypreos says the Toronto Maple Leafs have a couple of options for Auston Matthews if his injury remains a problem.

by
Jim Parsons
January 2, 2025

During a recent post in the Toronto Star, former NHL player and now Sportsnet host and insider Nick Kypreos claimed that the Maple Leafs have some serious questions to answer regarding Auston Matthews. Uncertain when he’ll return to the lineup, if Matthews plays in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, there will be pressure to return to the Leafs lineup. If he doesn’t, there will be concerns over his return this season.

Kypreos wonders if Matthews being out of the 4 Nations Face-Off might lead to the Maple Leafs considering a bold strategy to ensure Matthews is a go for the playoffs.

Kypreos suggests the team could place Matthews on long-term injured reserve (LTIR), giving him time to recover from his nagging injury. Comparing it to what the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights have done in the past, the NHL analyst writes that the move would take a significant salary-cap hit off the books and free up space to make a major acquisition. He notes:

“Such a move could allow the Leafs to trade for another top centre and give them a major boost when a healthy Matthews returns for the post-season.”

What Is the Other Option for the Maple Leafs?

Alternatively, Toronto could take a more problematic route for fans who want to see this team strive for a Stanley Cup. If Matthews can’t go and the team doesn’t want to trade top prospects like Easton Cowan, Fraser Minten, and Artur Akhtyamov, the Leafs could write off the season.

If Auston Matthews is done for the season, what happens to Mitch Marner?

Kypreos writes:

An alternate path is one Leafs fans may not want to hear, but they could also decide to declare blue-chip prospects Easton Cowan, Fraser Minten and Artur Akhtyamov untouchables, re-sign Marner and live to fight another season.

Both are huge decisions and one the organization won’t make lightly. The first means not having Matthews the rest of the way in 2024-25. The second means another season where the Leafs didn’t get it done and a summer full of questions about which direction this roster should go.

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