Leafs’ Matthews was injured in training camp, played through it all season
Following another devastating end to a season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews spoke with reporters during the team’s year-end locker room clean up.
When asked about his health throughout the 2024-25 season, Matthews wouldn’t reveal what ailed him, but did provide some idea of what happened.
Rundown of what Auston Matthews said about his injury:
– happened in training camp
– lingered all season, good and bad stretches
– expects to be 100% next season
– no surgery
– won’t reveal exactly what the injury was
— Matt Larkin (@MLarkinHockey) May 20, 2025
“It was a very tough season,” Matthews said. “I don’t need to get into specifics, but I got injured in training camp. Obviously wasn’t feeling great throughout the first month of the season, took some time off, went to Germany, did all these things to try to feel better. (I) was in a place where I felt like I could manage it.”
Auston Matthews reflects on a season plagued with injuries, but wouldn’t reveal what he was dealing with in playoffs. pic.twitter.com/v2hI2m4PV9
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 20, 2025
Matthews says there were good and bad stretches through the year, and while it was tough on him physically, he’s confident with some time off he’ll be ready for the 2025-26 campaign.
“I’ll be back 100 percent,” he said. “There’s nothing really to worry about.”
When asked if his injury affected his ability to shoot the puck, Matthews did not deny it.
“I think it impacted a lot of different things, for sure.”
The Leafs’ captain finished the 2025 postseason with three goals and eight assists for 11 points in 13 games. In the second round against the Florida Panthers, the 27-year-old Matthews only scored once. The Panthers eliminated the Leafs in seven games, capped off with a 6-1 victory Sunday night.
In 67 regular-season games this year, Matthews scored 33 goals and 45 assists for 78 points. Despite missing 15 games with injury, he finished third on the team in both goals and points.