Maple Leafs' Matthews Placed On Injured Reserve

The Toronto Maple Leafs have placed captain Auston Matthews on the injured reserve retroactive to November 3. To fill the spot on the roster, Conor Dewar has been recalled from the Toronto Marlies from his LTIR conditioning loan and activated.

Auston Matthews has been placed on injured reserve by the #leafs, which guarantees that he'll miss tomorrow's game against Montreal.

There's been no setback in his recovery. The IR move is about roster management.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) November 8, 2024

Matthews has suffered no setbacks in his recovery. Since he was unlikely to come back for the Maple Leafs' game against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, this move was to manage the roster and allow for Dewar to be recalled.

Matthews has just five goals and 11 points in 13 games this season. He didn't start out great, recording no goals and no points in the first three games of the season before breaking through and recording all five goals and all 11 of his points in the last 10 games.

Matthews has won the Rocket Richard Trophy for the most goals in the NHL in three of the past four seasons and was the favourite to do so again this season. Just because he is missing some time, doesn't mean he can't explode offensively upon his return.

The Maple Leafs have been a strong team when Matthews isn't in the lineup, so they will look to continue that until their star is back in action, which should be soon.