Insider reports that a very important Jake Muzzin update is imminent
After being hit awkwardly in a game against Arizona back in October, Jake Muzzin was initially expected to be out for a week or two. Following a 10-day stint on injured reserve, he was placed on long-term injured reserve and the Leafs announced at the time that he would be re-evaluated at the end of February for a spinal injury. Following the All-Star break, when Kyle Dubas addressed the media, he did not provide much of an update on Muzzin aside from saying that he had a couple of specialist appointments scheduled in California in the coming weeks and they would know more once those appointments are completed.
According to Darren Dreger of TSN, those appointments appear to have been completed, as the Leafs are scheduled to update the status of Muzzin's injury this week. However, it does not appear to be good news and may confirm what everyone already suspected. Muzzin will likely not be returning this season. Muzzin was a star for the Leafs against Tampa in the playoffs last year and looked like his old self until his injury.
Muzzin may not just be done for the season, but it is very likely that his career could be over as well, given the severity of his injury. If that were the case, it would be an unfortunate way for him to have to end his career. Muzzin has this season and next season left on his contract that will pay him $5.625M per year and will likely stay on LTIR if he is unable to return next season, which will provide the Leafs with some additional cap flexibility. Although unable to play, Muzzin has made it a priority to remain involved with the team, coming to the rink while the team is practicing and being in the locker room. His leadership, toughness and physicality is missed on the ice, but having him around the team has allowed the rest of the leadership group to bounce ideas and thoughts off of him and allows him to give a different perspective of what he sees when watching games.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 22 | 161 ANSWERS Insider reports that a very important Jake Muzzin update is imminent Is Jake Muzzin going to be employed by the Leafs after he retires? | ||
| Yes | 123 | 76.4 % |
| No | 38 | 23.6 % |
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