Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Muzzin is out indefinitely due to a cervical spine injury and will be re-evaluated in February, the team announced Monday.
In addition, blue-liner T.J. Brodie will be out a minimum of two weeks with an oblique injury, general manager Kyle Dubas said, per TSN's Mark Masters. Brodie was a late scratch for Saturday's win over the Vancouver Canucks.
Muzzin hasn't played since Oct. 17, when an awkward collision with Arizona Coyotes forward Clayton Keller forced him to leave the game. The veteran defenseman has a history of head and neck injuries. Muzzin was stretchered off the ice during the 2020 qualifying round and also missed time last campaign due to concussions.
"We have to do what's right for his long-term health," Dubas said, per The Athletic's Jonas Siegel. "He's a father of two young children and a husband. We have to make sure that we're doing right by him. As important as he is to us as a player, his health is paramount."
The 33-year-old is under contract through 2024. His $5.625-million cap hit will be placed on long-term injured reserve, and the Maple Leafs can exceed the salary cap by the same amount as long as Muzzin remains sidelined.
Toronto acquired Muzzin from the Los Angeles Kings during the 2018-19 season and signed him to a four-year contract in 2020. He's logged 81 points in 187 games with the team while averaging more than 21 minutes per contest.
