Breaking: Auston Matthews will not play in NHL All-Star Game

This just in, Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Auston Matthews will NOT participate in this weekend’s NHL All-Star Game and Skills Competition. He will however be at All-Star weekend. Say what?!

Check it out:

#Leafs forward Auston Matthews will attend the upcoming NHL All-Star Weekend but will not be actively participating in any on-ice events. Matthews is listed as day-to-day as he receives acute treatment for an ongoing wrist condition.
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) January 22, 2020

Hmmmmm… this sound like a cop out to anyone else?

Matthews goes to St. Louis to avoid a one game mandatory suspension, but he doesn’t have to play… seems suspicious.

Then again, maybe I’m just a cynical jerk? Maybe Matthews really is injured but is going to St. Louis out of the goodness of his heart in an effort to grow the spot? It’s just as likely, to be honest.

Either way, get ready for PLENTY of opinions of the matter of NHL stars skipping out on the annual event.

An update from NHL insider Elliotte Friedman:

Matthews is expected to be ready to play when TOR resumes Monday in NASH. He spent the bye week at home, training in Scottsdale, when the decision was made to keep him off the ice this weekend.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 22, 2020

The NHL has announced that Ottawa Senators sophomore Brady Tkachuk will replace Matthews on Team Atlantic:

#NHLAllStar Update: @Senators forward Brady Tkachuk will replace @MapleLeafs forward Auston Matthews on the Atlantic Division roster for the 2020 Honda NHL All-Star Game.

Despite not playing due to injury, Matthews will attend All-Star weekend in St. Louis. pic.twitter.com/iVcwA5jB2B
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 22, 2020

Breaking: Auston Matthews will not play in NHL All-Star Game

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