This off-season has been a whirlwind for the Toronto Maple Leafs and their fans, and it was capped off in the most surprising yet deserving way, with Auston Matthews being named the 26th captain in franchise history. No. 34 has arrived with the new C attached to his chest, and during a media shoot for the Maple Leafs, it became apparent that Matthews had lost plenty of weight this summer, appearing much thinner than we've seen in recent years.
While this could simply be Matthews looking to get faster and more agile on the ice, some fans expressed concern that he could be recovering from injury or a potential illness this off-season. We've heard nothing of the sort thus far, so it appears to be a clear choice from Matthews, who usually weighs in at 215 pounds, with all the strength and physical tools needed to back it up.
Now however, he is much thinner and could be looking to change up his play style this season, with some fans expressing concern amidst their hopes for another massive campaign from No. 34.
Ultimately, he may simply put muscle back on as training camp arrives and be the exact same player he's always been when the season begins once more, but for now, this is an intriguing story to keep an eye on in Toronto.