Sid Seixeiro Criticizes Chiropractor Over Auston Matthews Injury Details

Auston Matthews injury update has sparked fresh discussion after Toronto sports broadcaster Sid Seixeiro criticized chiropractor Dr. Shawn Robek for revealing sensitive information about the Maple Leafs captain’s condition.

Matthews is currently recovering from left knee surgery that he underwent in March. The procedure followed a serious knee-on-knee collision with Radko Gudas during Toronto’s game against the Anaheim Ducks on March 12.

The incident resulted in a Grade 3 MCL tear and a quad contusion in Matthews’ left knee, forcing the Maple Leafs captain to miss the remainder of the season.

Sid Seixeiro questions chiropractor’s Auston Matthews interview

Dr. Shawn Robek, a sports chiropractor based in Arizona, recently met with Matthews while the NHL star continued his rehabilitation. Robek later appeared on TSN’s First Up program to discuss his work.

The interview immediately caught Seixeiro’s attention. The Toronto broadcaster questioned why a medical professional working with Matthews would publicly discuss the player’s condition.

“That’s why you don’t let doctors talk on the radio,” Sid Seixeiro said.

Seixeiro argued that injury information involving a high-profile NHL player should be handled carefully, particularly when the player is preparing for a new season.

Chiropractor reveals lower back was not Matthews’ main concern

During his appearance on TSN’s First Up, Robek explained that his specialty includes the lower back and neck. However, he indicated that Matthews’ lower back was not the primary concern during the current year.

“With Auston, low back was not the concern this year,” Robek said.

The comment generated immediate discussion because Matthews experienced a significant decline in production before his season-ending knee injury. His health had already been the subject of considerable attention among Maple Leafs supporters.

Seixeiro suggested that the comment could unintentionally reveal information that the team or player may have preferred to keep private.

Why Auston Matthews’ health remains a major storyline

Matthews’ health has become particularly important because of his status as one of the NHL’s elite goal scorers. The Maple Leafs captain has produced multiple 60-goal seasons and remains central to Toronto’s hopes of competing for the Stanley Cup.

His injury-shortened campaign raised questions because his offensive production dropped considerably compared with his previous levels. Seixeiro referenced the dramatic decline while discussing why Matthews may have been seeking additional treatment and rehabilitation.

The situation has also fueled speculation about whether Matthews was dealing with factors beyond the knee injury. However, publicly available comments do not establish the existence or diagnosis of another specific medical condition.

Matthews underwent knee surgery in March

Matthews’ season ended after his collision with Gudas on March 12. The injury was diagnosed as a Grade 3 MCL tear along with a quad contusion in his left knee.

He subsequently underwent successful surgery in March and began the rehabilitation process. The initial recovery timeline was approximately 12 weeks, although returning to full NHL competition depends on an athlete’s individual recovery and readiness.

The latest reports indicate that Matthews is expected to be ready for the start of the 2026-27 NHL season, providing some encouragement for Maple Leafs fans.

Mike Rupp doubts Matthews can catch Alex Ovechkin

The discussion around Matthews’ health comes as another former NHL player, Mike Rupp, assessed his chances of eventually breaking Alex Ovechkin’s all-time NHL goals record.

Rupp believes Matthews would need to maintain an extraordinary scoring pace for many seasons to have a realistic chance of catching Ovechkin.

“He’s going to have to be in the 60-goal market, maybe even higher than that,” Rupp said.

Rupp also highlighted Ovechkin’s remarkable consistency and longevity as major advantages in the record chase. According to the former NHLer, maintaining elite health and production for a prolonged period is one of the biggest challenges Matthews would face.

Maple Leafs fans await Matthews’ return

For Toronto, the priority is now ensuring that Matthews completes his rehabilitation and returns to the ice at full strength. The franchise relies heavily on its captain’s scoring ability and leadership.

The expectation that Matthews will be ready for the 2026-27 season provides a positive outlook, but his progress will continue to be closely monitored throughout the offseason.

Meanwhile, Seixeiro’s criticism has added another layer to the ongoing discussion surrounding Matthews’ health. Whether the chiropractor’s comments reveal anything significant about the player’s condition remains unclear, but the incident has highlighted the sensitivity surrounding injury information involving elite athletes.