Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is back in the spotlight. This time, not for his scoring, but for how he handled an injury during the 2024 NHL playoffs.
Former Leafs enforcer Jay Rosehill called out Matthews for staying silent about the issue, especially following a lopsided Game 7 loss that ended Toronto’s run in the second round with a 6-1 defeat to the Florida Panthers.
Auston Matthews’ Injury Silence Draws Scrutiny
Rosehill’s comments came during an episode of the Leafs Nation podcast, where he voiced frustration with Matthews’ unwillingness to clarify whether the injury was upper or lower body. He felt that the lack of openness stirred speculation from fans and media alike, leading to distractions.
“He is the captain, he is the superstar, can we just hear if he’s (upper body injury)… so it leaves so much to the imagination that people run wild with it and think it’s not even an injury,” Rosehill said. “And he’s full of sh*t. And he’s just trying to protect it.”
Once again Auston Matthews kept quiet about his injuries during the playoffs…
Do you think it would benefit him to just open up? @thegoldenmuzzy | @Jay_D_Rosehill
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Matthews recorded 11 points in 13 playoff games, but in the deciding matchup, he struggled, just two shots on goal and a minus-2 rating. In a city like Toronto, where expectations are sky-high, that kind of performance didn’t match the standard of someone wearing the “C”.
Rosehill contrasted Matthews’ secrecy with players like Chris Tanev, who have been upfront about injuries. He pointed out that today’s NHL isn’t as ruthless toward injured players as it once was, arguing that transparency from leaders is long overdue.
Matthews has since admitted the injury dated back to training camp and had an effect on his season. While he didn’t provide details, he said no surgery is needed and that he expects to be fully healthy by next year.
Yet, questions persist. Critics argue that the team needed leadership, and Matthews had a chance to show it. One that, in their view, he let slip.
“Why not take ownership?” Rosehill said in another episode. “You’ve already lost.”
Making matters worse, Matthews’ postgame comment about having “too many passengers” on the team rubbed many the wrong way. Critics saw it as shifting blame rather than stepping up, something expected from a captain.
What’s Next for Auston Matthews in Toronto?
Matthews still has three years left on his deal, but doubts are growing. Former NHLer Nick Kypreos even questioned whether Matthews is the right choice to wear the “C”, comparing him to Evgeni Malkin, a star who thrives when supported by a strong leader like Sidney Crosby.
Fair or not, the conversation around Matthews’ leadership is changing. His goal total dropped from 69 to 33 this season, giving critics more to point to after yet another playoff letdown.
The Leafs are expected to shake things up this offseason. Mitch Marner, who also came under fire for his playoff play, could be on the move. But all eyes remain on Matthews and whether he’s the one to lead Toronto where they’ve long hoped to go.