Dreger echoed Ferraro’s perspective, adding that Matthews’ return may in fact align with the Four Nations Faceoff, which begins on Feb. 12. Matthews will represent Team USA for the first time since 2016 and was one of the first six players included in the roster last summer.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will have to wait a little longer before welcoming back Auston Matthews to a team that has Stanley Cup aspirations. The New York Islanders can't afford to wait much longer to begin winning and stave off a potential breakup of the core that reached consecutive NHL semifinals in 2020-21.