SUNRISE, FLA. – Nothing quite puts things into perspective like a blow to the head.
A reporter recently asked Jake Muzzin if his second concussion in a span of about five weeks made him think about life beyond hockey. The rugged defenceman gave the sort of reflexive chuckle one does when talking about that which frightens us.
“Yeah, the first time you think about life too,” Muzzin replied. “Always. You’re always thinking about your health and what’s really important.
“But I feel good.”
Looks good, too.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have exercised caution during these six weeks ramping up Muzzin for a return to action. But he didn’t join the boys on this critical four-game road trip simply to root them on for the press box.
“I understand being patient is important,” Muzzin went on. “I want to be out there with the guys playing, but there’s a lot more important things in life than this great game. But I still want to be a part of it. I want to play.”
Muzzin will play Tuesday against the Florida Panthers.
“He’s feeling good, feeling comfortable, confident that he’s put in the necessary work and had the reps in practice to be able to be confident and comfortable playing in a game situation,” Keefe said. “That’s really what we’ve been waiting on.”
Which poses a compelling a rare debate in Leafland: With seven healthy, trustworthy defencemen and a five-game win streak to build upon, who sits so Muzzin can play?
As with diehard fans externally, Toronto’s optimal D pairings have been a hot topic internally.
Morgan Rielly and T.J. Brodie are untouchable. “Third pair” new guy Mark Giordano should be, too.
Justin Holl averages the third-most minutes of the corps.
Ilya Lyubushkin actually hits people.
And Timothy Liljegren is playing the best hockey of his life ever since he got linked to Giordano’s hip.
We asked Giordano, outside of the Leafs’ usual superstars, who on the team has opened his eyes with their play.
“The one guy who stands out to me is my partner, Lily,” Giordano said. (He also shouted out Ilya Mikheyev — but that’s another story.) “He is just great positionally. He’s always in a good spot.
“These young guys, it’s crazy. I’ve seen it now on multiple teams that I’ve played on. The young defencemen coming in seem to have a ton more poise than when I first started playing. It was more, you’re nervous to get into games at this level. But he’s got great poise, and he makes great reads positionally. So, it’s been nice to watch him play.”
Only 13 games remain to tinker with combos and chemistry. (Don’t forget: Dynamic youngster Rasmus Sandin is on the mend.)
“We are running out of games here. We are having daily discussions on it. Muzzin’s return is going to force us to change some things,” Keefe said. “We do want to get some looks at some different combinations as we get going here.”
Giordano reminds that he and Brodie already have synergy baked in from all those years as Calgary Flames, and now he’s found a fast fit with Liljegren. But the veteran knows the value of varied options.
“We have to be prepared for anything,” Giordano said. “The big thing for me when you play with a new partner is that there is communication.”
With Muzzin returning Tuesday, he’ll play with Holl, his most familiar partner.
Liljegren will be rewarded for his strong play and stick with Giordano.
Rielly and Brodie reunite.
But this experimentation will evolve.
Keefe says it was a tough decision to scratch Lyubushkin, and he’ll jump back in soon.
More important than where Muzzin plays, however, is the fact he is playing — for the deepest Leafs’ blue line of this era.
“Honestly, that injury was very scary. You’re thinking about his family first and what he means to his family. That’s everything,” said Mitch Marner, who calls Muzzin a brother.
“So, it’s great seeing him work his way back and feel comfortable enough to be out there with us to skate around with us. He’s a lot of fun to be around. He’s a guy when he’s in our locker when he says something, everyone listens.”
One-Timers: William Nylander (illness) will take warmups but will be a game-time decision…. Nick Abruzzese was complimented on his play in Tampa but will be the odd man out in Sunrise…. Both Rasmus Sandin (knee) and Ondrej Kase have resumed skating back in Toronto…. Auston Matthews needs one goal to become the Maple Leafs’ all-time single-season goal-scoring champ.
