Report: Matthews takes another big step, inches closer to return

Injured Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Auston Matthews was seen on the ice yet again this morning ahead of his team’s practice, testing his injured right shoulder and getting some work in away from his teammates.

Check it out: 

The fact that Matthews has been on the ice now for three days straight and that he’s putting some work in on his shoulder has to be seen as a giant step forward for the injured star.

Matthews suffered a shoulder injury on over a week ago after driving to the net and taking a stiff check from Winnipeg Jets defensemen Jacob Trouba.

Here’s the hit in question, watch especially for Matthews reacts to the hit and favours his right shoulder:

The Leafs announced the following morning that Matthews would be out a MINIMUM of four weeks and was placed on the team’s injured reserve.

Matthews has been fairly quiet since suffering the injury, but this is now two days in a row in which he’s been on the ice for some rehabilitation. Again, this has to be seen as a positive.

"It’s frustrating," Matthews said earlier today. "There’s not much you can do. It sucks, but it’s part of the game.

"I’m going to work as hard as I can to get back as soon as possible."

"You want to be out there so bad," Matthews said. "Watching the game is probably the worst part. (Not) being around your teammates, being a part of something, I think that’s kind of the hardest thing."

As for the hit, he doesn’t hold Trouba responsible in any way.

"I knew the guy was coming," Matthews said. "(I was) trying to get a shot off, but you don’t really know what to expect because you’re so close to the goalie.

"He took body, which is what you’re supposed to do, and just caught me on a weird angle."