Maple Leafs place defenceman Jake Muzzin on long-term injured reserve

February 23, 2022 - 7:52pm

Jake Muzzin left the game after an awkward collision with Chris Wideman.

The Toronto Maple Leafs placed Jake Muzzin on long-term injured reserve on Wednesday.

The Toronto Maple #Leafs have placed Jake Muzzin on Long Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) https://t.co/263r1hlAku

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) February 24, 2022

Muzzin left Monday’s 5-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens during the second period following an awkward collision with Chris Wideman where the Maple Leafs defenceman appeared to hit his head on the ice.

The 33-year-old from Woodstock, Ont., did not play in Tuesday’s tilt against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Muzzin has 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) and is averaging 21 minutes over 41 games this season. He also missed seven games recently after sustaining a concussion during a match against the St. Louis Blues on Jan. 15 when he was hit into the end boards by Klim Kostin.

According to CapFriendly, Toronto placing Muzzin on the long-term injured reserve frees up $5.625-million in cap space with the NHL trade deadline just under a month away on March 21.

The Maple Leafs are third in the Atlantic Division with a 32-14-4 record and hold a three-game winless streak. Toronto next plays Thursday hosting the Minnesota Wild.

Get as close to cap as you possibly can before going into LTIR — that's the way to maximize it. Muzzin will not be hurried back into action after his second concussion in a short span. https://t.co/7IIvIkSg2B

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 23, 2022

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