Toronto Maple Leafs Injury Update: Matthews, Jarnkrok, and More

In recent news from the Toronto Maple Leafs, captain Auston Matthews has sustained a minor upper-body injury during Tuesday's practice, according to head coach Craig Berube and reports from The Athletic's Jonas Siegel. Fortunately, Matthews was not scheduled to participate in the team's preseason matchup against the Ottawa Senators, and his injury is not expected to impact his availability for the upcoming regular season.

This incident marks an inauspicious beginning for Matthews, who has been a dominant force in the NHL, having led the league in goals for three out of the last four seasons. His phenomenal tally of 69 goals last season was the highest in the league and the most by any player since the legendary Mario Lemieux achieved the same feat during the 1995-96 season.

At just 27 years old, Matthews is recognized as one of the most versatile and complete players in the league. He finished fourth in Hart Trophy voting and third in Selke Trophy voting for the 2023-24 season. Additionally, he contributed to the team with a goal and a +1 rating during their thrilling 6-5 overtime loss to Ottawa last Sunday.

In other injury updates emanating from Toronto, forward Calle Jarnkrok is also recovering from an undisclosed injury, but details remain sparse. Furthermore, forward Steven Lorentz and veteran Kyle Clifford are both expected to be checked for potential injuries as the team prepares for the start of the season.

As the Maple Leafs look to build on their previous success, fans are hopeful that these injuries will be dealt with swiftly, allowing them to field a full-strength team when the regular season kicks off. Stay tuned for more updates on your favorite team as the preseason wraps up and the excitement builds!