The Toronto Maple Leafs have ruled defenseman Jake Muzzin out for the remainder of the 2022-23 regular season and playoffs.
It's the news most expected but no one wanted to hear.
The Toronto Maple Leafs offered an update on the health of defenseman Jake Muzzin on Wednesday, announcing that the veteran will miss the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs due to a cervical spine injury he suffered earlier this season.
Any further updates on Muzzin's status will be provided at training camp in September 2023.
Muzzin, who missed large chunks of the 2021-22 campaign with a concussion, suited up in four games this season and recorded one assist.
While the Maple Leafs have managed to get by without Muzzin for most of this season, losing the beloved defender is still a massive blow to their group. Muzzin, despite getting up there in years, is still an effective top-four defenseman when healthy and adds a physical element to Toronto's blueline that it doesn't have in his absence.
Not to mention, Muzzin is an important member of the Maple Leafs' leadership core and brings vital experience to the group as one of the few players in the team's locker room that has won a Stanley Cup.
Throughout his career, Muzzin has recorded 69 goals and 225 assists for 294 points in 683 games.