Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews visiting doctor in Germany for injury, targeting late November return

Credit: Oct 19, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) celebrates after scoring a goal New York Rangers during the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

There is an update on the Toronto Maple Leafs captain, with optimism about his return.

When speaking to the media on Tuesday, general manager Brad Treliving revealed that forward Auston Matthews is in Munich, Germany to receive treatment for his recent upper-body injury. Treliving stated that the doctor Matthews is seeing is one he has worked with in the past while being accompanied by a Leafs’ physician.

Auston Matthews is currently in Munich receiving treatment from a doctor he's worked with in the past, and is being accompanied by a team physician. The #leafs say there's no been no setback or change in his status.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) November 19, 2024

Treliving also mentioned that, while there is no change or setback in Matthews’ status, the team is hopeful he will return to skating soon. He said that there is a chance that Matthews might be back in the lineup on Sunday when the Leafs host the Utah Hockey Club, but the team is targeting the two-game swing through Florida next week as a firm return timeline.

Matthews was placed on injured reserve back on Nov. 8 with the unspecified upper-body injury. However, head coach Craig Berube assured that it had nothing to do with the wrist injuries he suffered in the past. The former USNTDP product has missed the Leafs’ last six games, in which the team has done well in his absence, going 5-1-0 in that span, including a 4-3 overtime win over the Edmonton Oilers this past Saturday night.

Before being put on the shelf, the 27-year-old appeared in Toronto’s first 13 games of the season, scoring five goals and six assists for 11 points, a little off the point-per-game average we have grown accustomed to seeing from the former first-overall pick.

In 575 career appearances, Matthews has scored 373 goals and 287 assists for 660 points, including another 48 points in 55 postseason games.

The Maple Leafs (11-6-2) sit second in the Atlantic Division, one point back of the first-place Florida Panthers. They are scheduled to host the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday night.