Jake Muzzin update: Leafs reportedly not planning to use Muzzin's LTIR space
During the 2nd intermission of Sportsnet's Hockey Night in Canada coverage, Elliotte Friedman revealed something very interesting about the Toronto Maple Leafs and injured defenseman Jake Muzzin.
While running down the list during Friedman and Marek's 32 Thoughts segment on HNIC, Friedge brought up Muzzin's name. He reported that if Muzzin is healthy prior to the end of the regular season, the Leafs' plan to allow him to re-enter the lineup rather than keeping him out until the playoffs to take full advantage of his LTIR cap relief.
Friedman suggested that the Leafs are still working on adding to their blue line, but that they'd be looking to do so with the $2M in cap space they will have available to them without taking into account Muzzin's LTIR cap relief.
Muzzin was sidelined on Monday, February 21st in Montreal after taking an awkward hit from Habs defender Chris Wideman. After bouncing his head hard off the ice, Muzzin remained motionless on the ice until the trainer could attend to him. He was eventually able to make it off the ice and down the tunnel of his own accord. Muzzin entered concussion protocol in the days that followed - his second stint in a 6-week span.
The Leafs would certainly be right to take their time with Muzzin, as the potential long-term effects of a traumatic brain injury can be very serious. Suffering two in such rapid succession is alarming and will not likely be taken lightly by the team or the player.
For Muzzin, if he can get back to full health before the end of the season, it would be a good thing for the veteran blueliner to be able to find his legs before the playoffs begin - something that Dubas and company have no doubt considered.
