Toronto Maple Leafs fans received good and bad news on Thursday when they learned that forward Auston Matthews had started skating again but goaltender Matt Murray was to sit out indefinitely.
Matthews benefited from the All-Star Game’s break to treat a sprained knee. The American’s fitness time was estimated at three weeks, now the star player is back on the ice after 15 days. He wore a red jersey before training, which meant he couldn’t accept contact.
The sniper was injured on Jan. 25 during a game against the New York Rangers. So he had to put a cross on the part of the stars. In 47 games this season, the 25-year-old center has 25 goals and 53 points.
In addition to Matthews, the Leafs will be without Murray for a few days. The bouncer’s name was put on the injured list but he still attended Wednesday’s drill.
The Ontarian had his ups and downs in his first season in Toronto, posting an 11-5-2 record, 0.911 save percentage and 2.73 goals against average. He is recovering from an ankle injury, having also sustained an abductor injury in October.
The organization thus added new American League blood, remembering Toronto Marlies forwards Pontus Holmberg and Alex Steeves, and goaltender Joseph Woll.
The Maple Leafs play their next game on Friday against the Blue Jackets in Columbus.
Two more years for Connor Timmins
Later in the day, the Leafs offered defenseman Connor Timmins a two-year, $2.2 million contract extension.
The 24-year-old Ontarian had 12 points in 18 games in his debut season with the Leafs. He was acquired by the Arizona Coyotes for Curtis Douglas last November.
Timmins was the Colorado Avalanche’s second-round pick in the 2017 draft. He played 39 games with Denver before being traded to the Coyotes.
During his career, the guard, who would become a restricted free agent by the end of the season, averaged 19 points in 58 games.