The Maple Leafs will be without their captain for the next few games. Superstar Auston Matthews has been placed on injured reserve, the team announced Friday. But the move, retroactive to the last game Matthews played, isn’t as alarming as it may look. It means only that Matthews will remain out at least through the weekend. He will miss Friday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings and Saturday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens but will be eligible to play when the Leafs host the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night.

The Leafs don’t view this move as a setback, but rather a path to creating a roster spot for Connor Dewar, previously on long-term injured reserve following offseason shoulder surgery, while Matthews continues to recover from his undisclosed ailment.

“We’re going in the right direction,” Leafs coach Craig Berube said of Matthews’ status on Friday morning.

Whether Matthews returns to the lineup when he becomes eligible to come off IR early next week remains to be seen. He didn’t skate with the team on Tuesday, Thursday or Friday (the Leafs were off on Monday and Wednesday) and hasn’t been seen on the ice since he last played against the Minnesota Wild on Sunday night.

The Leafs haven’t disclosed what his injury is exactly, only that it’s been a lingering issue. They believe it was impacting his performance and production early this season. Matthews has only five goals and 11 points in the first 13 games, this after a monster 69-goal, 107-point season.

Among the NHL’s very best at stealing pucks, Matthews has only three takeaways and thrown just six hits.

Matthews' Absence - A Chance for Others

With Matthews sidelined, the Maple Leafs will have a chance to evaluate their depth and see how other players step up. The absence of their star forward will create opportunities for other players to showcase their skills and potentially earn a permanent spot in the lineup.

Dewar Returns

The Leafs also recalled forward Connor Dewar from his conditioning stint. Dewar started the season on long-term injured reserve as he was working his way back from a shoulder injury that kept him out of training camp.

Dewar had a goal and four assists in 17 games for the Maple Leafs last season. The Leafs believe he is a player with potential to contribute to their offense and see this as a chance for him to get back into the swing of things.

Matthews' Return - A Key Factor for Leafs' Success

The Maple Leafs' success this season hinges on the health and productivity of Auston Matthews. He is a key player for the team and his absence, even for a few games, can have a significant impact. However, with the NHL season just getting underway, the Leafs are hoping that this is just a short-term setback and that Matthews will be back on the ice soon.

When he is ready to play again, the Leafs will need to create a roster spot for him. They can do that very easily by waiving one of Matt Benning or Philippe Myers, the team’s current No. 7 and 8 defencemen. The Leafs can waive the other whenever Jani Hakanpää is ready to be activated from his season-long stint on LTIR.

Matthews appeared in 81 of 82 regular-season games last season, missing only one game due to illness. Earlier this week, in Matthews’ first missed game of the season, the Leafs beat the Boston Bruins 4-0.

Overall, in 57 missed career games, the team boasts a surprising 36-19-2 record without Matthews.

Despite the fact that the Maple Leafs are in the midst of a busy stretch, with a back-to-back set against the Red Wings and Canadiens on the horizon, the Leafs are confident that they can manage without their star forward for the time being. The team has a deep roster and players are ready to step up in Matthews’ absence, proving their ability to perform without relying solely on their captain.

This move will give other players a chance to shine while Matthews works his way back to full health and strength. The team will be hoping that he returns soon but is confident that they can remain competitive in the meantime.

It remains to be seen how long Matthews will be sidelined, but the Leafs are hopeful that his absence will be short-lived. They are a team that needs his talent and leadership to compete at the highest level, and they will be looking forward to his return.

(Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn / USA Today)