Jake Muzzin moved to LTIR, as expected; Leafs now have some money to spend at the deadline
As expected, the Toronto Maple Leafs have moved injured defenseman Jake Muzzin over to Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) on Wednesday evening. Obviously, everyone's primary concern is Jake's long-term health. We're all hoping and praying that the Woodstock, ON native can rest and make a full recovery in time for the postseason.
Muzzin, 33, suffered his second concussion in less than six weeks on Monday in Montreal after colliding with Canadiens defenseman Chris Wideman at the end of the second period, causing his head to bounce off of the ice. Both players turned into each other, neither intending to throw a hit. Very unfortunate.
Earlier Wednesday, Muzzin was placed on IR, with Rasmus Sandin being sent to the AHL and blueliners Brennan Menell and Kristians Rubins being called up, presumably to get the Leafs as close to the salary cap as possible before placing Muzzin on LTIR to maximize the amount of LTIR relief the team would be able to receive.
Per CapFriendly, a player on LTIR is not eligible to be activated until they have missed no less than 10 games and 24 days. It is expected, since Muzzin is dealing with a pair of traumatic brain injuries within a very short timeframe, that both he and the Leafs will take their time. He is not believed to be in line to return prior to the postseason. However, if the team does expect Muzzin to return at some point this season, they would not be able to activate him without first becoming cap compliant.
Once the playoffs begin, the Leafs are free to activate Muzzin from LTIR and exceed the salary cap, which is not in effect in the postseason. We saw the Tampa Bay Lightning use LTIR with forward Nikita Kucherov last season.
At this time, the Leafs have approximately $5.625M in cap relief that they may use, as long as they do not anticipate Muzzin returning this season.
It's big game hunting season in Toronto. Let's see what Kyle Dubas and company can do to maximize their relief ahead of a very important postseason run for the Leafs.
