Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews undergoes MCL surgery
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews faces a 12-week recovery period after undergoing successful MCL surgery in New York on Thursday following a knee-to-knee hit.
The 28-year-old American forward had already been ruled out for the remainder of the NHL season.
He is expected to be fully fit in time for the franchise’s training camp ahead of the next campaign.
Gudas hit sparks disciplinary anger
The severe knee injury was sustained a week earlier following a controversial collision with Anaheim Ducks captain Radko Gudas.
That incident earned the Czech defenceman a five-game suspension from the league, a punishment the Canadian franchise felt was far too lenient.
“We lose our captain for the year. It doesn’t seem like enough for me,” said Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube.
Judd Moldaver, who represents the injured goalscorer, released a scathing statement criticising the NHL’s Department of Player Safety.
Moldaver labelled the disciplinary action reckless and ridiculous while calling for the entire safety department to be suspended.
A challenging campaign for Toronto
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and head of player safety George Parros both dismissed the criticism as unfair during a meeting of general managers this week.
The loss of their talisman caps off a deeply frustrating season for Toronto, who were forced to become sellers at the recent trade deadline.
They are now on track to miss the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since their star centre made his league debut in 2016.
International absence expected
The former top draft pick concludes his truncated season with 27 goals and 53 points across 60 appearances.
His extended rehabilitation means the prolific goalscorer is also highly unlikely to represent Team USA at the upcoming World Championships this spring.
