Matthews won't play in All-Star Game due to wrist injury
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews will be replaced by Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk on the Atlantic Division roster in the All-Star Game, the NHL announced Wednesday.
The Maple Leafs superstar won't take part in the event due to injury but will attend the weekend's festivities in St. Louis. He's day-to-day as he receives treatment for an ongoing wrist condition.
Matthews' agent, Judd Moldaver, told TSN's Darren Dreger that his client has been dealing with the wrist issue for at least three weeks.
He's expected to be ready to play for Toronto when it resumes its regular-season schedule with a road date against the Nashville Predators on Monday, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, who adds that the 22-year-old sniper spent the bye week training in his home state of Arizona.
Matthews leads the Maple Leafs in both goals (34) and points (57) through 49 games this campaign, entering Wednesday's action tied for second and ranked 11th among NHL skaters in those two categories, respectively.
Tkachuk, the fourth overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, has collected 15 goals and 27 points in 48 contests during his second season in Ottawa. The 20-year-old posted 22 markers and 45 points as a rookie in 2018-19.
Tkachuk's brother, Matthew - a Calgary Flames forward - will also be taking part in the All-Star Game, representing the Pacific Division.