Muzzin and Brodie

[Rick Couchman]

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that defenceman Jake Muzzin is out indefinitely due to a cervical spine injury. Muzzin's status will be re-evaluated in late February. Muzzin skated in four games with the Maple Leafs this season and recorded one assist.

The Maple Leafs also announced today that defenceman TJ Brodie has been placed on injured reserve with an oblique injury while the club has recalled forward Pontus Holmberg and defenceman Mac Hollowell from the Toronto Marlies (AHL).

[herman]

Yikes; get well soon, Jake!

[bustaheims]

Brodie's injury is hopefully a shorter-term one. Muzzin's sounds like a career-ender, though.

[Frank E]

Oof.  Now Brodie out too. 

I guess we'll have to see how injured Brodie is, but they may be forced to make a move or 2 here.

[Rick Couchman]

Oof.  Now Brodie out too. 

I guess we'll have to see how injured Brodie is, but they may be forced to make a move or 2 here.

I suspect any teams with extra serviceable D are wringing their hands waiting for a Leafs call.

[L K]

Not great.  Not great at all.  Muzzin being hurt isn't shocking given his health over the last few years but to have

Goaltenders 1, 2 and 3vs4 and defensemen 2 and probably 3 out is some pretty awful injury luck so far.

[louisstamos]

I'd rather have this injury run now vs in April - but still, those are huge losses on the backend and in net.

Any update on Murray being available this week?

[CarltonTheBear]

Re-evaluated in late February. Right before the trade deadline (March 3rd). If he's announced as done-done at that point then the Leafs will surely go after a rental defenceman.

It's tough to acquire one right now since a) I guess there's still some very, very slim chance Muzzin might play hockey again this season (otherwise they'd have just announced he's out for the season, although I highly doubt he'll play) and b) there's not really a heck of a lot of teams in selling mode quite this early in the season.

Early bets on acquisitions later in the season would be Justin Braun, Carson Soucy, or Luke Schenn. Until then though Sandin and Liljegren will need to step up quite a bit.

[CarltonTheBear]

Any update on Murray being available this week?

Will probably see an update on him in the afternoon, but it was reported on the weekend he could be returning for tomorrow's game.

[Guilt Trip]

The injuries keep piling up for the Leafs. I wonder if the Leafs will make a move for a guy like Chychrun. I think they'll wait and see how it goes for a bit.
Sad news tho about Muzz. I don't see him coming back.

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/PierreVLeBrun/status/1592193547448745984

[herman]

I'd shake the trees on Kulikov (ANA 2.25M) or Gavrikov (CBJ 2.8M). Adam Larsson for a longer-term option (SEA 4M x 3 yrs).

[L K]

The thing with Muzzin might honestly be more of a "see how things are in February to decide if nothing is the appropriate option versus surgery".  In this scenario he might have a chance to play again without surgery but surgery will be the end of his career.

[azzurri63]

Now Brodie jeez we just can't seem to catch any breaks this year. 2 top 6 defensemen, both starting goalies yikes.

[Bender]

The only theory I have as to why they hung on to Muzzin so tightly (besides liking him) was he wouldn't pass the physical... Really stings seeing as how Durzi is progressing.