TORONTO – As Auston Matthews and his lingering mystery injury travel to Munich for medical attention, Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving is calming the waters.
As colleague Elliotte Friedman reported Tuesday that the superstar has flown to Germany to meet with a clinic he “knows and trusts,” Treliving made an impromptu meeting with reporters at the Maple Leafs’ practice facility, where Matthews has not skated in nine days.
Treliving assured that Matthews’ cross-Atlantic doctor’s appointment is “not alarming” and that surgery is not on the table.
The Maple Leafs pinpointed this week’s slow schedule — one game in seven days — as an opportunity to give Matthews extra rest and a chance to seek a second opinion, which is being done in conjunction with a team physician.
Treliving assured that his No. 1 centre has not suffered any setbacks, that he is still “day to day,” and that Matthews has been continuing with off-ice workouts.
The exact nature of Matthews’ “upper body” injury has been top secret. We know it’s not his wrist and that it traces back to discomfort that had Matthews missing some action during training camp.
“I’m protective of our players. We want to share as much as we can, but anything that may put the player at jeopardy, I’m not going to do that,” Treliving said.
“I think we’re in a good spot here where we’re getting beyond it, and we’re going to try to use this time to get this behind us.
“He wants to play. That’s what he does.”
Matthews is doubtful to suit up Sunday versus Utah. He is more likely to return Wednesday in Florida.
Easing pressure is that the Maple Leafs have gone on a 5-1 tear without Matthews available, and their temporary top line of Mitch Marner, John Tavares and Bobby McMann has risen to the occasion.
“Like we always talk about us athletes, no one likes to sit out and miss games,” Marner said. “So, I talk to him about it, just trying to keep his mentals and mind space good. And obviously he wants to be out there with us as badly as we want him out there.”Craig
The prolonged absence of Matthews and a new injury to David Kämpf (lower body) necessitated the recall of Marlies centre Fraser Minten.
“To be perfectly honest, I would have preferred to leave him down there for a little bit longer,” Treliving said of his 20-year-old prospect.
“You’ve got to be careful, especially with young guys, bumping them up and down. He’s coming off the (high-ankle sprain), but he’s having a great start. He’s a smart, smart player. What jumps out is just his hockey IQ. He on the bench like a coach.”
One proven NHL centre, Lars Eller, has already been dealt in-season.
And while Treliving makes his phone calls to keep tabs on the trade market — “You always have conversations,” the GM says — he is interested to see how his organization depth gets tested by a rash of injuries up front.
“Nobody’s going to feel sorry for you in the league,” Treliving said. “Injuries are part of the part of the NHL. And if you can’t sustain them, you’re probably not going to have a whole lot of success. So, I like how our guys have rallied, and we’ve been able to put some points on the board.”
Marner at centre? Why not?
Berube smiled wide when asked how seriously he has considered giving all-star right winger Mitch Marner a whirl as a centreman.
“I talked to Mitchy the other day about it, actually,” Berube revealed. “He said, ‘No problem. Whatever you want.’ He’s smart enough, for sure. I know he’s played some D here, too, in the past. I think he could play all positions. But it’s definitely an option if we need it.”
Berube has no concerns about the one-time Selke finalist’s defensive acumen nor his ability to adapt to positioning in the middle. (Heck, Marner did play centre with the London Knights.)
Faceoffs are another story.
Marner has only taken seven draws this season, winning one of them. He’s a career 44.1 per cent in the dot.
That said, the position shift is on the coach’s radar, and now it’s on Marner’s.
Said Treliving: “There’s lots of guys that can play the position.”
Reaves willing to talk suspension; Leafs less so
Confident he won’t “say anything stupid,” Reaves — who appeared remorseful after the hit and sought to apologize in-person — did not want to hide from the cameras.
Toronto’s public relations staff, however, shut down the interview before it could begin.
“OK, see you guys in two and a half weeks,” Reaves said.
Nurse will be sidelined for five to 10 days, according to the Oilers.
Reaves isn’t eligible to return until Dec. 4.
“First of all, I never want to see anybody injured,” Treliving said. “There’s no doubt in my mind: There’s no intent on Ryan’s part. He’s going in to make a hit. It’s a hockey play that goes wrong, right? If you look — and there’s been lots of talk, I know — he leads with a stick, he’s going in to forecheck, and there’s contact that’s made. It’s unfortunate, and we accept it.”
Referencing Tanner Jeannot’s headshot on Brock Boeser earlier this month, Treliving thought Reaves might receive a similar three-game suspension.
“But I’m not going to sit here and bicker about a game here and there,” Treliving said. “At no point do I think Ryan had any intent for that to happen. It didn’t end up the way you want to, and I understand the league’s position.”
One-Timers: Kämpf has been placed on IR but might play Sunday…. Max Domi participated in practice but, for a third time, was not made available to reporters upon request. Berube says Domi is still “banged up.” Domi missed Toronto’s two previous practices for “maintenance.”… Reaves practised alongside projected scratch Simon Benoit on the fourth defence pair…. The stellar Anthony Stolarz is your projected starter in net.
Maple Leafs projected lineup Wednesday vs. Vegas Golden Knights
McMann – Tavares – Marner
Knies – Domi – Nylander
Robertson – Minten – Holmberg
Dewar – Lorentz – Steeves
