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 clean. 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.
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The Nashville Predators invited Muzzin to coaching camp in 2009, however they minimize him nicely earlier than the season started. It took him a very long time to seek out his approach 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 throughout the 2012-13 season, the place his mixture of measurement, toughness, and two-way play made him a standout participant for the Kings. He rapidly established himself as a drive to be reckoned with, utilizing his 6-foot-3 body to his benefit in bodily battles alongside the boards and in entrance of the web. Muzzin’s breakout second got here throughout the 2013-14 season when he performed a pivotal position within the Kings’ Stanley Cup victory, showcasing his capability to carry out beneath the stress of the playoffs.
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With a fame 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 have been transitioning to a rebuild, and the Maple Leafs noticed a possibility so as to add a seasoned veteran to bolster their protection.
Muzzin’s Affect 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 issues rapidly scattered as Muzzin proved his price along with his robust defensive play, bodily presence, and veteran management.
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Muzzin’s arrival gave the Maple Leafs the soundness they desperately wanted on the again finish. He took on robust defensive assignments, shutting down high opposing forwards, and introduced much-needed grit and toughness to the blue line. His in-your-face type was exactly what the crew had been lacking, and he was not shy about delivering bone-crushing hits and blocking photographs when the crew wanted it most.
In his first season in Toronto, Muzzin performed 53 video games, scoring 23 factors and establishing himself as one of many crew’s high defenders. His capability to step up in important moments, particularly in playoff conditions, grew to become invaluable. Throughout the pandemic-shortened playoff sequence, Muzzin’s absence as a consequence of harm was a big issue within the crew’s struggles. The crew performed higher when Muzzin was on the ice. When he was not, they received run over.
Muzzin Introduced Management and Mentorship to the Maple Leafs
Past his on-ice contributions, Muzzin’s presence within the locker room was important to the crew’s chemistry. He grew to become 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 position as a cornerstone of the crew’s blue line.
Muzzin’s playoff performances have been important to the Maple Leafs’ success. His expertise as a Stanley Cup champion gave him the pedigree that the crew wanted. Within the 2021 playoffs, he averaged over 22 minutes per recreation, registering 25 hits and 16 blocked photographs over seven video games. His capability to carry out in high-pressure conditions underscored his worth to the crew.
The Challenges of Accidents and the Maple Leafs Wage Cap Considerations
As Muzzin aged, the damage and tear of his bodily recreation started to take its toll. Within the 2022-23 season, accidents began to restrict his effectiveness. Probably the most regarding concern was his battle with concussions, which brought on him to overlook 35 video games that season. Regardless of his efforts to return to kind, Muzzin’s physique struggled to maintain up with the trials of the NHL.
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Muzzin’s contract additionally grew to become a speaking level for Maple Leafs followers and even perhaps the crew’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 grew to become a burden for a crew all the time pressed for wage cap house. There have been discussions about whether or not to commerce him or transfer his contract, however Muzzin’s management and contributions made any such determination troublesome.
Muzzin Has Had a Lasting Legacy with the Maple Leafs
Although his on-ice contributions have waned as a consequence of harm, Muzzin has remained an integral a part of the Maple Leafs group. After a spinal harm in 2022 led to his placement on long-term injured reserve, Muzzin transitioned to a brand new position within the entrance workplace as an expert scout in 2023. There, he continues to work with the crew in varied capacities, staying related 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 could be 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.
