NHL Analyst speculates that the Toronto Maple Leafs may use LTIR for captain Auston Matthews
Auston Matthews remains out for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and shortly, he becomes eligible for LTIR, a move that one analyst suggests they explore.
For the past few weeks, speculation has surrounded the injury of Auston Matthews in Toronto, and despite his week-to-week designation, there have been no signs of his return.
Now, a new report has emerged that Matthews is in Europe looking to get work done on his injury, and it's not a good sign for a team that desperately needs his return.
Now, it's getting even worse, as analyst Aaron Korolnek has recently made a shocking statement about the possibility that 34 end up on LTIR.
"At this point here, you leave the door open for every type of speculation. But I think in Matthews's case, I think he's three games away from being eligible for LTIR.
And I think it has come this far with the injury that they might as well say, okay, let's stretch this out of the three games so that we could actually use the LTIR space later in the season to go and do whatever move that we want."
And I think it has come this far with the injury that they might as well say, okay, let's stretch this out of the three games so that we could actually use the LTIR space later in the season to go and do whatever move that we want."
In recent years, this hasn't been a popular move by teams, especially the Vegas Golden Knights, as it allows them to clear up immense amounts of cap space to add more weapons for a Stanley Cup run.
If it's a move the Maple Leafs made, they'd clear up to an astounding $13 million, and with just three more missed games from Matthews making him eligible, it simply makes sense at this point.
"Why not go as far as you can to make sure that you have that option because, hey, let's be honest $13 million in cap space that would help could help, down the stretch If Maple Leafs have any big moves in mind."
It's unclear if this is something in the mind of GM Brad Treliving and the front office, but it's a move they need to consider, and if Matthews is going to be out for more than a week longer, it could give the team a major advantage as they chase a Stanley Cup.
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