"When he can't even freaking move": Ex-NHLer bluntly criticizes Maple Leafs for 'dragging' unhealthy Auston Matthews

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is once again out of the lineup due to injury. He missed nine games in November due to an upper-body injury and returned for 11 games where he recorded 12 points on six goals and six assists. Unfortunately, Matthews missed Saturday's 6-3 loss to the New York Islanders, and will not play on Monday against the Winnipeg Jets. Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said it's due to a reaggravation of Matthews' previous injury.

Matthews' nagging injury has caused concern for Toronto's fans. Former Maple Leaf defenseman Jay Rosehill shared his thoughts about it on Monday's edition of "Leafs Morning Take".

"His deadliness is with his shot and his power, it doesn't seem there," Rosehill said. "And you can tell by the way he's playing, and we know that he's been hurt. And then he took a long time to come back.

"And then we thought he was, like, ready to come back. And he's in Germany, something's going on, and I don't know what it is, but it kind of seems like it's a torso. He trunk like a back or something. I'm not sure, but it doesn't seem to be moving well, that cross-check, kind of the side, seemed to cripple him."

Rosehill added that he wants Matthews to stay out of the lineup until his injury is fully healed.

"I don't really want him playing 'til he's healthy," Rosehill said. "These games are, you know, I don't want him looking like that in the playoffs. Or it's bye bye time like I don't want to. It's too important. The season is too big. You're peaking. This is a big time in this lease organization.

"Why are you playing him in December when he can't even freaking move? And why is he going to the nation's Four Nations Cup for the nobody cares cup in a lot of ways to go hurt like, I don't like it at all, man, I'm more concerned in the postseason than to see this guy dragging through this entry for no reason."

Auston Matthews took several hard hits in Friday's win over the Buffalo Sabres

Auston Matthews took a beating during Friday's 6-3 Maple Leafs win over the Buffalo Sabres.

He was on the receiving end of big hits from Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson and forward Tage Thompson. Matthews' teammate, Morgan Rielly, took exception and dropped the gloves with Thompson after the hit.

Matthews was then cross-checked on the side of the ribs in the third period by Dennis Gilbert.

The Leafs will need to be careful with their superstar center to ensure he's healthy for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Maple Leafs will return to action without Matthews on Monday against the Winnipeg Jets. The puck is set to drop at 2 p.m. EST.