The Toronto Maple Leafs’ defensive depth is getting even thinner by the day. The team announced today that Jake Muzzin will be out for the next four weeks after suffering a broken hand last night. The recently re-acquired Calle Rosen has been recalled in his place.
With Morgan Rielly and Cody Ceci already out, the Maple Leafs’ defense now consists almost entirely of the group that won the AHL Calder Cup in 2018. Travis Dermott, Justin Holl, Timothy Liljegren, Martin Marincin and Rosen were all on that team, leaving only Tyson Barrie and Rasmus Sandin—a 19-year old with 24 NHL games under his belt—as those who weren’t part of the playoff run. For a team trying to clinch a divisional playoff spot, that group will have to take some real development steps in a hurry.
Muzzin, 31, just inked a four-year extension with the Maple Leafs that will start paying him an average of $5.65MM next year. His veteran leadership has been immeasurable for the team this season, but this will be his second major injury after breaking his foot earlier on. In 53 games he has 23 points.
If he does return in four weeks it would leave just five games before the end of the season for Muzzin to get his legs under him and help the Maple Leafs secure a spot. Rielly and Ceci are both expected back before the end of the year as well, but for now the team will have to rely on their inexperienced group to get them close to the finish line.
Of course. The say after the trade deadline. Murphy’s Law.
He hurt it signing the extension.
Good ion on Dubas for bringing Calle Rosen back.
It might not matter anyways. In order for the leafs to win, the best players must be the best players every game and that doesn’t happen on this club.
Fr die might bail them out if he gets hot.
The leafs have been jekyl and Hyde and the loss on Saturday was embarrassing but ignoring their injuries can’t happen. muzzin, Johnsson twice, Reilly, marner, Tavares earlier this year. teams certainly deal with injuries but this seems like one after the other.
they likely won’t make it out of round one if they get there as that lack of defense over a 7 game series will show BUT they ha e been bitten by the injury bug more than most teams.
Fair point, however Pittsburg has had just as many injuries to arguably more key players and keep winning. Even Edmonton showed they could keep winning despite injuries (except for the mini slide they are on now that uncle Connor is back). Leafs just aren’t putting in the effort it seems.
I do agree that there are games where lack of effort is the reason the leafs lost and certainly Pittsburgh has had it’s fair share of injuries as well and if the leafs had a backup like the pens for the full season they likely would be another 4-6 points clear of Florida.
That being said, my point was more this is a team that has really not played with a full healthy group since early in the season and is partly to blame for their rough season.
but to your point, that should invoke more effort not less.