It's no secret that the Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to get off to a strong start after yet another disappointing end in the first round to the Montreal Canadiens during the postseason. However, some news from Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe on Monday will make coming out hot just a bit more challenging.
According to the Leafs' bench boss, the team will be without the services of superstar pivot
Auston Matthews, who is still recovering from offseason wrist surgery.
Matthews, the reigning Rocket Richard Trophy winner, scored 41 goals in 52 games for the Leafs last season, but couldn't produce at nearly the same level during the postseason, managing just one goal in the 7-game series against the Habs.
The 24-year-old sniper has been ruled out for at least the first three games of the season, according to Keefe - but he could be available as early as Monday, October 18th, when the Leafs play host to the New York Rangers at Scotiabank Arena.
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The silver-lining here is that the Leafs posted a 5-1-0 record during the preseason without Matthews in the lineup - but I don't know how much stock, if any, you can really put into that sort of thing when there are actual points on the line.
Matthews is entering the third season of a 5-year, $58.195M deal, which carries an $11.64M AAV.
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