The Toronto Maple Leafs are eagerly anticipating the return of their captain, Auston Matthews, following his triumphant stint in Milan, Italy, where he led Team USA to Olympic gold against Canada. With the NHL season poised to resume, the Leafs find themselves in a delicate situation, needing a quick winning streak to avoid becoming sellers before the March 6 trade deadline.
Matthews' presence on the ice is crucial for the team's success. There's a mix of good and uncertain news on that front. According to Chris Johnston from The Athletic, Matthews is set to rejoin the team on Wednesday in Tampa Bay after Team USA receives recognition from President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.
However, it's still unclear if Matthews will suit up against the Lightning on Wednesday. After a whirlwind tournament and significant travel, questions remain about his physical, mental, and emotional readiness.
Ideally, the Leafs would provide Matthews with a brief rest before throwing him back into game action. But given the challenges of the 2025-26 season, Toronto can't afford for their captain to miss significant time.
All eyes will be on the Leafs as they navigate this crucial period, starting Wednesday night when the NHL action resumes post-Olympics. The decisions they make regarding Matthews' return could be pivotal in shaping the rest of their season.