The Toronto Maple Leafs are once again contenders within the National Hockey League. Injuries can have a significant impact on a team for a short to long period of time across the league.For the Leafs, they will be without two of their top-four defensemen, Jake Muzzin and T.J. Brodie.
Let's start with Jake Muzzin. The 33-year-old entered the season in his fifth year with the Leafs; the long-time veteran is most notably known for his rugged defensive play. Muzzin suited up for just four games before leaving a game against the Arizona Coyotes with an injury.
During Toronto's loss to the Coyotes on October 17th, Muzzin collided with Coyotes star Clayton Keller. In the play, it is deemed that Muzzin suffered a severe spine injury and has yet to return.
The Leafs have assigned the left-handed defensemen because it is unknown whether Muzzin will return this season, if at all. Muzzin is currently listed as being out indefinitely and will be re-evaluated by the team no earlier than February.
Muzzin has logged a total of 650+ NHL games with the Leafs and Los Angeles Kings. The Woodstock native is touted as an effective penalty killer and defender within his zone.
Leafs GM Kyle Dubas has also announced that T.J. Brodie has been placed on injured reserve with an oblique injury. This comes after the Leafs noted Brodie as a healthy scratch for their game against the Vancouver Canucks.
The 32-year-old defender is expected to miss a minimum of two weeks. Brodie has been one of Toronto's most relied-upon defensemen throughout the season. The former Calgary defender has played in over 750 games dating back to the 2010-2011 season.
Dubas also noted that the team has called up Pontus Holmberg and Mac Hollowell from the AHL to correspond with the injury updates.