Auston Matthews injured expected to miss time
Toronto Maple Leafs franchise center Auston Matthews will not play against the Nashville Predators on Wednesday because of an undisclosed injury, the team told reporters.
"I'd say he's just day-to-day, obviously he's out there putting in lots of work and all that so he's clearly not too far away. He's improving daily so we'll see where he's at for tomorrow,» Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said, adding the injury is something that's been «lingering for a while.»
The Maple Leafs recalled forward Bobby McMann from the AHL's Toronto Marlies and he is expected to take Matthew's place in the lineup for his Maple Leafs debut.
Matthews has 20 goals and 47 points in 41 games this season. McMann has 8 goals and 15 points with the Marlies in 17 games this season.
"Any time you've got a guy playing in his first game, you try not to overwhelm too much. There's enough going on as it is. He's at his best when he's moving his feet and skating. Big, strong guy. He's found a way to really make his mark very quickly at the AHL level,» Keefe said of the 26-year-old McMann.
«He's an older guy coming out of college and all those kinds of things. Doesn't have a great deal of experience at the pro level yet that didn't faze him in adjusting to the AHL. He's now had a camp and some exhibition games with us. The hope is he can make an impact right away, but we'll of course be patient with him. It's a great opportunity for a player like him that has really stayed with it, worked incredibly hard, been a valuable member of the organization and gets rewarded for it tonight.»
«He's an older guy coming out of college and all those kinds of things. Doesn't have a great deal of experience at the pro level yet that didn't faze him in adjusting to the AHL. He's now had a camp and some exhibition games with us. The hope is he can make an impact right away, but we'll of course be patient with him. It's a great opportunity for a player like him that has really stayed with it, worked incredibly hard, been a valuable member of the organization and gets rewarded for it tonight.»
Puck drop for the Leafs vs Predators is 7:30 PM
| POLL | ||
Who leads the Leafs in goals when the season ends? | ||
| Auston Matthews | 78 | 46.7 % |
| John Tavares | 12 | 7.2 % |
| William Nylander | 55 | 32.9 % |
| Mitch Marner | 22 | 13.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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