Maple Leafs Captain Auston Matthews Undergoes MCL Surgery

12-week recovery timeline puts star forward on track for training camp return

Mar. 21, 2026 at 4:04pm

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Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews has undergone successful surgery to repair a Grade 3 tear of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his left knee. The injury occurred after a knee-on-knee hit by Anaheim Ducks player Radko Gudas, who received a 5-game suspension from the league. Matthews is expected to return to the ice in mid-to-late July, giving him time to complete his usual offseason training regimen before the start of the next NHL season.

Why it matters

Matthews is the Maple Leafs' franchise player, so his recovery timeline and the team's performance in his absence will be closely watched by fans and management. The injury and suspension of Gudas have also raised concerns about player safety and the league's disciplinary process.

The details

One week after the initial 14-day assessment period, the Maple Leafs announced that Matthews had already undergone successful surgery on his left knee in New York. The repair surgery has an approximate recovery time of 12 weeks, putting Matthews on track to return to the ice sometime in mid-to-late July. This will allow him to complete his usual offseason training in Scottsdale, Arizona before rejoining the team for training camp and preseason action in September.

  • On March 14, Matthews suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear in his left knee after a knee-on-knee hit by Radko Gudas.
  • On March 21, the Maple Leafs announced that Matthews had undergone successful surgery to repair the MCL tear.
  • Matthews is expected to return to the ice in mid-to-late July, approximately 12 weeks after his surgery.

The players

Auston Matthews

The captain and franchise player of the Toronto Maple Leafs, known for his elite scoring ability.

Radko Gudas

A defenseman for the Anaheim Ducks who delivered the knee-on-knee hit that injured Matthews, resulting in a 5-game suspension from the league.

Craig Berube

The head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who commented on Matthews' mental state following the injury.

Brad Treliving

The general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who will be tasked with retooling the team during Matthews' recovery.

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What they’re saying

“I saw him at our last game here (Tuesday morning), and he seems okay (mentally).”

— Craig Berube, Head Coach, Toronto Maple Leafs

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This injury to the Maple Leafs' star player raises questions about the team's performance and future direction during his recovery, as well as the league's disciplinary process for dangerous hits that result in player injuries.