Matthews is set to return to the lineup against the Tampa Bay Lighting on Saturday and explained why he didn't want to reveal specifics.
TAMPA — Although Auston Matthews is a superstar in the NHL, the Toronto Maple Leafs forward like his privacy.
Matthews is set to return from a nine-game absence due to an upper-body injury on Saturday when his club visits the Tampa Bay Lightning. Now that he's ready to go, he's still not willing to reveal anything other than it being "upper-body".
"I don't think there's really any secrecy. Like, I don't think we did anything outside of the rules of providing information to you guys in the NHL. So I think it just gets a little blown out of proportion with the marketplace and you guys being a little bit nosy," Matthews explained. "But in my mind, we haven't done anything secret. I think it's my choice whether or not I'm going to share the extent of injury."
Matthews is correct that there isn't anything in the NHL rules to disclose the type of injury the player sustained and he's refused to say anything about anything that has happened to him, even when the season is over.
Following the Leafs' first-round playoff exit against the Boston Bruins, Matthews was afterwards what it was that kept him out of action for Games 5 and 6 with a lingering illness. Even though he was set to have several months off, he didn't reveal anything.
"You look around the league, lower-body injury, upper-body injury on every single team. I think it's just been made out to be a bigger deal than it is," Matthews insisted. "I don't really care. It's up for you guys to talk about it and do your thing. But, you know, in the end, I'm just going to focus on myself and focus on the team and being the best that I can."
Other pro sports leagues like the NFL are mandated to provide injury reports that state the nature of the injury. There was some talk that as sports betting became partnered with the NHL that it could change, but that never took place. The NHL and NHLPA are nearing the end of the current collective bargaining agreement. It's always possible the stance on injuries could change as part of a new CBA. But for now, the Leafs are not required to say what the injuries are, leaving reporters to find out on their own.
Shut down since the morning of Nov. 5 with an upper-body injury. Matthews went so far as to fly to Germany to seek treatment. He reportedly meet with German doctor Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt, according to Postmedia.
When the Leafs revealed that Matthews was getting in treatment in Germany. A team spokesman said that the Leafs have used the unnamed doctor before. The Athletic reported that Max Pacioretty sought the help of Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt in his latest recovery from a torn Achilles before signing with Toronto.
The Maple Leafs went 7-2-0 without Matthews in the lineup. The star forward has five goals and six assists in 13 games this season.