The Toronto Maple Leafs had to finish practice on Tuesday without their new captain.
Auston Matthews left the team’s on-ice session on Tuesday early with what Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube described as an “upper-body thing,” per Post Media’s Terry Koshan.
Berbube said what is bothering Matthews is “not serious” and that he “should be fine.”
Matthews was named the 26th captain in franchise history in August, replacing John Tavares, who had served as Maple Leafs captain since October 2019.
The 27-year-old superstar Matthews won his third Rocket Richard Trophy this past season after scoring 69 goals. Matthews captured both the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award in 2022.
Matthews signed a four-year, $53-million extension last summer that will begin this season.
Toronto opens the regular season on Oct. 9 in Montreal against the Canadiens.
