Craig Berube provides an injury update on captain Auston Matthews today

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube provided an update on injured captain Auston Matthews today, stating that Matthews is "actually improving and in a real good spot right now going forward."

From Berube via Leafs insider Mark Masters:

What on Earth is going on with this guy? He was listed as 'day to day' three weeks ago and now the team doesn't even know when he's going to skate next?

Something's fishy here...

Read below for our earlier report on Matthews, published yesterday by Hockey Feed staff writer Chris Gosselin.

Crazy to think Auston Matthews was “day to day” three weeks ago, however, the Toronto Maple Leafs superstar has now left the country and has gone to Germany to receive treatment on his upper-body injury.

According to Chris Johnston and Joshua Kloke, it was Matthews’ decision to get help in Germany as he’s traveled with a Leafs’ physician, medical director Dr. Noah Forman, to get treatment.

“Per a league source, Matthews is visiting a “world-renowned clinic.” Matthews has previously sought treatment at this same clinic.”

The Maple Leafs maintain however that there are “no setback or change in his status.”

The Maple Leafs agreed to the travel since they are currently in the midst of a light schedule and thought it was the appropriate time for the checkup in Germany. Toronto host the Vegas Golden Knights later tonight and then have a four-day break before hosting the Utah Hockey Club a week from Sunday.

Earlier this month, the Maple Leafs announced that Matthews would not play against the Boston Bruins on Nov. 5 due to an upper-body injury and went ont to confirm it’s an issue the star has been dealing with since the pre-season. The captain was subsequently placed on injured reserve and his absence has garnered a lot of attention.

Matthews is expected to return to skating and begin his return-to-play protocol after this week. The Leafs are 5-1 in Matthews’ absence.