Published on: November 26, 2025, 01:03h.
Updated on: November 26, 2025, 01:08h.
- Reports indicate NHL security has advised GMs to be cautious about disclosing player injury details.
- Major professional sports leagues are increasingly vigilant regarding sports betting following recent controversies in the NBA and MLB.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs confirm that both Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies are off the injury list and ready to play in tonight’s matchup against the Blue Jackets.
Today’s major NHL update revolves around the reinstatement of Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies to the struggling Toronto Maple Leafs, who currently sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. This news arrives just in time for their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight.
In a season where Stanley Cup contenders like the Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Winnipeg Jets, and the Leafs are all struggling with inconsistent performance and injuries, this news comes as a relief.
The Leafs currently hold a record of 9-10-3, trailing the Blue Jackets (11-9-3) by four points in the Eastern Conference, positioned at 13th place, which is far from impressive. According to BetMGM, the news has affected betting patterns, as Matthews has the best odds for an anytime goal scorer at +130 tonight, while Knies comes in sixth at +225.
Informational Session for General Managers
If you are a fan of the Leafs or a sports bettor following the team, you might be frustrated by the lack of clarity regarding the specifics of Matthews’ and Knies’ injuries. Official updates simply stated that both injuries were classified as “lower body.” Matthews, one of the NHL’s highest-paid athletes, has faced injury challenges for the past year, affecting his on-ice performance. He even sought treatment in Germany last season for an unspecified “upper body” issue.
This year, however, the details regarding his injury have been murky, with reports describing it as a “muscular injury.”
It seems prudent for teams to limit the sharing of injury information. The NHL has embraced sports betting, having established partnerships with companies like DraftKings, PENN Entertainment, and others since 2021. These collaborations designate multiple betting platforms as official partners of the NHL.
Additionally, starting from the 2022-23 season, teams have been allowed to feature sponsor logos on their jerseys. For instance, the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers have logos from Play Alberta, while the Chicago Blackhawks carry Circa Sports as their home jersey patch partner, also working with the Vegas Golden Knights.
Logos Related to Betting on Jerseys
Professional sports leagues are increasingly cautious regarding the potential for gambling-related issues, especially concerning prop bets, as the NBA and MLB face significant scrutiny following public scandals.
During the latest general managers’ meetings in Toronto, an NHL security director cautioned GMs about how they disseminate player injury information, particularly in light of the ongoing gambling controversies in other sports, as reported by Pierre LeBrun on TSN’s Overdrive.
“That conversation highlighted the importance of transparency regarding this type of information from teams, especially given the current landscape of scandals in other sports,” he noted.
Should teams like the Leafs continue to withhold as much information as they can? What do you think is better for sports bettors: complete transparency for accurate betting or relying on scattered and sometimes inaccurate internet chatter? Additionally, NHL teams typically maintain privacy around injury information for competitive advantages, especially during playoff seasons.
Investigations in the NBA and MLB
Currently, the NBA is undergoing scrutiny over accusations that non-public player information was allowed to reach gamblers to enhance their betting outcomes, leading to significant profits, some of which allegedly made their way back to players. Notably, the FBI arrested Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and others last month for their participation in a vast sports betting and money laundering operation.
“Allegations state that former and current NBA players and coaches, including Terry Rozier and Damon Jones, communicated confidential information about upcoming games and player performances to selected bettors within their close circle, creating an unfair edge leading to substantial payouts,” stated FBI officials in October following the indictments.