Jake Muzzin’s journey to turning into a beloved defenseman for the Toronto Maple Leafs is a narrative of grit, resilience, and simple management. Born in Woodstock, Ontario, Muzzin’s path to the NHL wasn’t easy. Drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins within the fifth spherical of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, he didn’t signal with them. When he re-entered the 2009 NHL Draft, the NHL handed on him.
Associated: NHL Rumors: Golden Knights, Oilers, Penguins, Maple Leafs
The Nashville Predators invited Muzzin to coaching camp in 2009, however they reduce him nicely earlier than the season started. It took him a very long time to search out his solution to the NHL, honing his expertise within the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Soo Greyhounds earlier than making his skilled debut with the Los Angeles Kings’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs.
Muzzin Lastly Will get His NHL Break
Muzzin’s NHL profession started to take form in the course of the 2012-13 season, the place his mixture of dimension, toughness, and two-way play made him a standout participant for the Kings. He rapidly established himself as a power to be reckoned with, utilizing his 6-foot-3 body to his benefit in bodily battles alongside the boards and in entrance of the online. Muzzin’s breakout second got here in the course of the 2013-14 season when he performed a pivotal function within the Kings’ Stanley Cup victory, showcasing his means to carry out below the stress of the playoffs.
(Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
With a status as a gentle two-way defenseman, Muzzin continued to thrive with the Kings, having fun with a number of productive seasons, together with a career-high 42 factors in 2017-18. Nevertheless, by 2019, the Kings had been transitioning to a rebuild, and the Maple Leafs noticed a chance so as to add a seasoned veteran to bolster their protection.
Muzzin’s Influence on the Maple Leafs
In January 2019, the Maple Leafs acquired Muzzin in a commerce that despatched their 2019 first-round decide, Carl Grundstrom and Sean Durzi, to Los Angeles. Initially, there was some skepticism concerning the transfer. Toronto wanted a right-handed defenseman, and Muzzin performed on the left. However these considerations rapidly scattered as Muzzin proved his value along with his sturdy defensive play, bodily presence, and veteran management.
Associated: Jake McCabe’s Return Is Essential to the Maple Leafs Protection
Muzzin’s arrival gave the Maple Leafs the steadiness they desperately wanted on the again finish. He took on robust defensive assignments, shutting down prime opposing forwards, and introduced much-needed grit and toughness to the blue line. His in-your-face model was exactly what the staff had been lacking, and he was not shy about delivering bone-crushing hits and blocking photographs when the staff wanted it most.
In his first season in Toronto, Muzzin performed 53 video games, scoring 23 factors and establishing himself as one of many staff’s prime defenders. His means to step up in essential moments, particularly in playoff conditions, turned invaluable. Through the pandemic-shortened playoff collection, Muzzin’s absence on account of damage was a big issue within the staff’s struggles. The staff performed higher when Muzzin was on the ice. When he was not, they acquired run over.
Muzzin Introduced Management and Mentorship to the Maple Leafs
Past his on-ice contributions, Muzzin’s presence within the locker room was very important to the staff’s chemistry. He turned a mentor to youthful defensemen like Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren, serving to them develop their video games. His management by instance and willingness to mentor the following era of Maple Leafs defensemen cemented his function as a cornerstone of the staff’s blue line.
Muzzin’s playoff performances had been essential to the Maple Leafs’ success. His expertise as a Stanley Cup champion gave him the pedigree that the staff wanted. Within the 2021 playoffs, he averaged over 22 minutes per sport, registering 25 hits and 16 blocked photographs over seven video games. His means to carry out in high-pressure conditions underscored his worth to the staff.
The Challenges of Accidents and the Maple Leafs Wage Cap Issues
As Muzzin aged, the damage and tear of his bodily sport started to take its toll. Within the 2022-23 season, accidents began to restrict his effectiveness. Essentially the most regarding difficulty was his battle with concussions, which precipitated him to overlook 35 video games that season. Regardless of his efforts to return to type, Muzzin’s physique struggled to maintain up with the trials of the NHL.
Associated: Maple Leafs Commentary: Buying and selling Jake Muzzin, Why? and How?
Muzzin’s contract additionally turned a speaking level for Maple Leafs followers and maybe even the staff’s entrance workplace. In 2020, the group signed him to a four-year, $22.5 million extension. Nevertheless, as accidents restricted his on-ice worth, Muzzin’s $5.625 million cap hit turned a burden for a staff all the time pressed for wage cap area. There have been discussions about whether or not to commerce him or transfer his contract, however Muzzin’s management and contributions made any such resolution troublesome.
Muzzin Has Had a Lasting Legacy with the Maple Leafs
Although his on-ice contributions have waned on account of damage, Muzzin has remained an integral a part of the Maple Leafs group. After a spinal damage in 2022 led to his placement on long-term injured reserve, Muzzin transitioned to a brand new function within the entrance workplace as knowledgeable scout in 2023. There, he continues to work with the staff in numerous capacities, staying linked to his teammates and providing mentorship and steerage to youthful gamers. Even off the ice, his presence speaks to the respect he’s earned all through his profession.
Muzzin’s time with the Maple Leafs is perhaps over as a participant, however he left a legacy of toughness, management, and reliability. He was a stalwart on the blue line, a playoff performer, and a mentor to many. As Muzzin transitions to the following part of his hockey profession, followers and teammates will fondly bear in mind his contributions to the Maple Leafs.
