Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Rasmus Sandin takes part in the team’s optional morning skate but will not play against Buffalo Sabres. The Toronto Maple Leafs have shut down veteran defenseman Jake Muzzin for the remainder of the 2022-23 regular season and playoffs, the team announced on Wednesday. "After follow-up consultation this month with various specialists, our medical staff have determined that defenceman Jake Muzzinhas been ruled out for the rest of the 2022-23 regular season and playoffs as he recovers from a cervical spine injury," the team said in a release. "The club will provide a further update as to his status at training camp in September 2023." Muzzin has been on long-term injured reserve with the issue for most of the season. Whispers of some clarity on Muzzin's situation began in the morning when TSN's Darren Dreger tweeted on Wednesday that it appeared the veteran defenseman's season was over. Muzzin last played on Oct. 17 against the Arizona Coyotes but did not finish the game. He was later placed on long-term injured reserve and has been around the team on a daily basis training with the hope that he would be able to return. Earlier this month, Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas said that the veteran defenseman was scheduled for a follow-up appointment with a specialist to determine his status. He said they would keep the results of that internal, but questions about the defenseman were going to continue with each passing day that the 34-year-old defenseman was out of the lineup. The Maple Leafs have used the defenseman's $5.625 million cap hit to address areas to fill on their roster. They'll continue to have that luxury through the end of the regular season. Muzzin is signed through the 2023-24 season.
