Auston Matthews Appears to Reveal His Status for Maple Leafs' Clash with Tampa on Saturday

After missing nearly a month of action and traversing across the globe to undergo treatment for a mysterious upper-body ailment, Auston Matthews himself may have delivered the news we've all been waiting for, as long as Leafs head coach Craig Berube agrees with his captain and clears him to return.

Matthews was a full participant in practice on Friday, centering a brand new, dynamic top line and taking reps on the team's top power play unit. But rather than his performance during practice, it was his words following today's session that is really exciting for fans.

Matthews probably owes Toronto Sun reporter Steve Simmons a stern talking-to over some irresponsible and unethical speculation on Matthews' injury, despite his clear efforts to keep his health matters private.

However, instead of focusing on the negative, Matthews seems far more focused on the positive, sharing his excitement to return to action for the first time since November 3rd.

Matthews has produced just 11 points across 13 games this season, and with a very banged up forward group in Toronto, I'm sure the captain is chomping at the bit to get back in there and give the offense a boost like only he can.

The 3-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner may be in tough to win the award a 4th time this season, but we shouldn't count him out just yet after a 69-goal performance in 2023-24.