"More about comfort and mobility": NHL insider shares eye-opening remarks on Auston Matthews' injury extent

NHL insider Chris Johnston provided new details about Auston Matthews' injury. Speaking on Thursday's episode of the "First Up" podcast, Johnston said surgery had not been considered for Matthews. The injury seems to be more about comfort and mobility, rather than something serious.

"Surgery this year has never been on the table for Auston Matthews." Johnston said, "It seems to be more about comfort and mobility rather than a serious issue. There’s no confirmation on specifics, and it’s not something he wants to discuss, with the team respecting his wishes."

While the exact nature of the injury is unclear, Johnston mentioned it could be related to Matthews' movement.

"While some have speculated about a back issue, it could be a range of things, but it appears to be related to how he moves," Johnston added.

Auston Matthews is still out of the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup with an upper-body injury. He has missed five games since getting hurt on December 20 against the Buffalo Sabres.

"Taking it day by day here. Feeling good, feeling better every single day," Matthews said via Sportsnet, "Just going to continue and hope for that positive progression."

Matthews feels positive about getting rid of this injury this season and getting back in the Leafs' lineup. He is playing his first season as the Leafs' captain.

"I don't know, I hope so, that's obviously the goal," Matthews said. "It's tricky with these things sometimes. It's a physical sport, it's a contact sport, so things happen out there sometimes that are out of your control."

Without Matthews, the Leafs have won two out of five games, including a 3-1 win over the New York Islanders. Previously they have had an impressive run winning seven out of nine games in Matthew's absence.

Maple Leafs coach prepares playing without Auston Matthews

Coach Craig Berube said Auston Matthews is improving but there is no timeline for his return. Matthews was placed on long-term injured reserve after the injury. This is his second injury, after missing nine games in November. Matthews has 11 goals and 12 assists in 24 games this NHL season.

"Right now, the situation we're in with him, I'm preparing the team to play without him." Berube said per Sportsnet, "We've got a game tomorrow and he's not in that game tomorrow."

Berube is preparing the team to play without Auston Matthews until he is ready to return.