New Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews missed practice on Wednesday, but it appears to be all part of the plan.
After leaving Tuesday’s practice early with what Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube described as an “upper-body thing,” Matthews’ absence on Wednesday was a scheduled maintenance day.
“He left practice yesterday but it’s maintenance today,” Berube told reporters. “That’s it.”
Matthews is coming off a stellar 2023-24 campaign that saw him set career highs with 69 goals and 107 points.
He was named the Maple Leafs’ first American-born captain on Aug. 14.
Max Domi filled in for Matthews on the top line during practice.
“He’s played at the position. … Over Max’s career, if you look he’s probably played all three positions: left wing, right wing, centre,” Berube said. “He’s a versatile guy, so we’ll use him that way.”
The news wasn’t quite as good for Maple Leafs forward Calle Järnkrok, who the Toronto Star’s Kevin McGran reported is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
Järnkrok, 32, had 10 goals and 11 assists in 52 games with the Maple Leafs last season.
Both Matthews and Järnkrok did not play in Tuesday’s pre-season loss to the Ottawa Senators. The Maple Leafs’ next pre-season tilt is on Thursday when they host the Montreal Canadiens.