NHL's Timid Stance on the 4 Nations Face-Off Is Proof That Auston Matthews Should Pull Out Immediately

Matthews has already missed 15 games this season due to injury and participating in the tournament could aggravate his injury.

The recent decision by Alex Pietrangelo not to join Team Canada to focus on staying healthy for the NHL season drew a path that Auston Matthews could follow.

While Matthews' passion and dedication to Team USA are unquestionable, the risk of injuring himself again and the Maple Leafs' playoff aspirations are bigger in the balance than the benefits of this tournament.

Unlike the NHL All-Star Game, skipping the 4 Nations Face-Off carries no penalty for players or their teams.

This absence of consequences raises the question of why more players like the ones recovering from injuries don't opt out to prioritize their health.

The Maple Leafs should also consider a similar conversatio. with Jani Hakanpaa, who is not sure to be ready for Team Finland due to injury concerns.

Making sure their players are healthy for the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs should be more important than a midseason tournament.

Even in a season with multiple injuries, Auston Matthews has been a one of the top performers by scoring 20 goals and 18 assists in just 35 games.

Losing him to an injury at the 4 Nations Face-Off would be a shock for the Maple Leafs' chances of a deep playoff run.

The decision lies with Matthews, but the prudent choice would be to prioritize his recovery and the team's success.

If he does choose to play, all Leafs fans can do is hope for his safe return and ensure he's ready to lead the team when it matters most.