14 hours Ago By Lance Hornby
Article content Jack Eichel, a strong advocate to ‘go your own way’ in handling a delicate injury, is in agreement with Auston Matthews ’s trip to Germany this week. As the highest-ranking U.S.
scorer in the NHL in the absence of Matthews, who was the Rocket Richard Trophy goal leader last season, Eichel saw nothing wrong with his friend seeking help outside the Maple Leafs. Three years ago while with the Buffalo Sabres, Eichel fought with management about clearance to get an artificial disc replacement in his back. His personal chiropractor and an outside specialist recommended it, but the Sabres’ medical team were wary as it had never been tried on an active NHLer.
It wasn’t until his trade to the Vegas Golden Knights in November of 2021 – after the Sabres took his captaincy away as he had failed his camp medical – that Eichel was given permission to have the operation. He won a Cup with them one season later. “The organization was super supportive of what I wanted to do, so I give (Matthews) a ton of credit on that,” Eichel told the media on Wednesday in Toronto.
“You have to express what you feel comfortable with and what you feel is the best treatment. I can’t say if I influenced people to stand up for themselves, medically. “I was worried about my own situation; I did what I thought I needed to do.
If Auston thought that going to Germany was his best chance of getting back to help his team, that’s why he’s over there. He’s a smart guy with a lot of resources.” Two weeks into an absence for an undisclosed upper body injury, Matthews and Leaf medical director Dr.
Noah Forman went to a clinic in Munich where the captain still was as of Tuesday. Toronto general manager Brad Treliving framed the visit as precautionary, an assessment to make sure nothing was wrong. No surgery is planned and the Leafs expected Matthews to come back and resume skating, perhaps on the weekend.
The doctor Matthews was to see is someone who has examined him in the past. “I think it’s important,” Eichel said. “You have to express what you feel comfortable with and what you feel is the best treatment, whatever that might be.
I feel guys are more open to it, too. “I think teams are communicating well with players and giving them the chance to see the people they want to see. It goes both ways.
It’s good that he’s been able to get the treatment that he needs or wants. Hopefully, he gets healthy.” Lhornby@postmedia.
com X: @sunhornby.
