Toronto Maple Leafs superstar center Auston Matthews took the ice for the club's optional morning skate on Saturday. But when will he return to game action? As the Toronto Maple Leafs hit the ice for practice on Friday, William Nylander caught attention for a subtle but noteworthy addition to his gear. The star forward was seen wearing a form of neck protection, not a full neck guard but a turtleneck stemming from an undershirt that provided added coverage to his neck. This development follows a near-miss incident involving Nylander’s teammate Pontus Holmberg, whose neck was almost clipped by Ryan Reaves’ skate during a game against the Ottawa Senators earlier in the week. Such close calls, combined with recent tragic events in hockey, have reignited discussions about the importance of neck protection in the NHL. The league has been under scrutiny regarding player safety, especially following the death of former NHL player Adam Johnson in October 2023. Johnson tragically lost his life after a skate blade lacerated his neck during a game in England. His passing has prompted various hockey organizations to implement stricter safety measures, including mandatory neck guards. For instance, leagues such as the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL have already mandated neck protection. However, the NHL has yet to make neck guards mandatory. Last season, the Maple Leafs were among the teams experimenting with neck guards. Three players—Tyler Bertuzzi, Mark Giordano, and Simon Benoit—were seen sporting them during practices. Bertuzzi, now with the Chicago Blackhawks, was one of the first NHL players to wear a neck guard in a game following Adam Johnson’s passing. He described the neck guard as “pretty comfy” and has continued to use it regularly. Bertuzzi’s quick adoption set a precedent within the Maple Leafs organization. The player continues to wear one with Chicago. Mark Giordano, who was the NHL’s oldest player at the time, embraced neck guards not only for his safety but also to set an example for his children. “As a dad, for me, it’s just an important message to the kids who are watching us on TV,” Giordano said. While currently unsigned, Giordano’s leadership in prioritizing safety left a lasting impression. Simon Benoit continues to wear one and was influenced by concerns from loved ones. “Everybody knows it’s a risk... My girlfriend was like, ‘I want you to wear one," he told Sportsnet's Luke Fox last season [https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/leafs-benoit-says-it-would-be-stupid-to-chirp-someone-for-wearing-neck-guard/]. Despite these individual efforts, neck guards remain optional in the NHL. The topic is expected to be part of broader safety discussions during the upcoming collective bargaining agreement negotiations, with the current agreement set to expire at the end of the 2025-26 season.
