Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, whose seven-year, $73 million contract began in 2024, is sidelined indefinitely due to an upper-body injury. The injury occurred during a game against the Buffalo Sabres on December 20, 2024, where Matthews contributed a power-play goal in a 6-3 victory. This marks his second absence this season, following a nine-game hiatus in November for a similar issue. Head coach Craig Berube stated there’s no clear timeline for Matthews’ return, emphasizing the team’s focus on his gradual recovery. citeturn0search1
In Matthews’ absence, the Maple Leafs have seen other players step up. Notably, forward Matthew Knies achieved his first career hat trick and added two assists in a 6-4 victory over the Boston Bruins on January 5, 2025. Mitch Marner also contributed significantly with an empty-net goal and four assists in that game. citeturn0news15
The team continues to navigate these challenges, relying on the depth of their roster to maintain performance until their star player’s return.
