The Maple Leafs are 6-3-3 without Jake Muzzin in the lineup this season. But make no mistake, this team misses Jake Muzzin.
They’re worse without him, clearly.
“It’s a tough loss for us. He’s a very important player for many reasons,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said after the news of Muzzin’s indefinite absence was officially announced.
Muzzin will be out for the next three and a half months at the very least with a cervical spine injury, and likely, the rest of the season.
Which makes it imperative that the Leafs find a replacement for him somehow. The timeline for even the possibility of Muzzin’s return basically ensures that.
It won’t be easy. Defencemen of Muzzin’s calibre, with his particular brawny, defensive style of play, are difficult to find — and come at a high cost. (To acquire Muzzin in the first place, the Leafs parted with a first-round pick, a top prospect in Sean Durzi, who has since become a highly impactful defenceman, and NHL forward in Carl Grundstrom.)
But the Leafs are going to have to try.
What they have internally without Muzzin isn’t enough, not for a team that’s trying to win the Stanley Cup. And as Leafs GM Kyle Dubas noted on Monday afternoon, it’s very much murky whether Muzzin will be able to return at all this season.
“If we had any experience with this type of thing,” Dubas said, referring to Muzzin’s neck injury, which came from a hit by Arizona’s Clayton Keller last month, “I’d stand up and give some semblance of a clear answer. But because of the nature of the injury, and because we really don’t have a lot of experience with this type of injury and you’re more relying on other sports that don’t replicate hockey exactly, it’s hard to predict.”
As Dubas noted, this is the second “notable incident” of this kind for Muzzin. There was the scary scene in Game 2 of the 2020 playoff series against Columbus when Muzzin had to be stretchered off the ice along with the more recent collision with Keller.
Muzzin has also had a long history of back issues and suffered a pair of concussions last season.
His body has been through a lot.
(John E. Sokolowski / USA Today)
“It’s not something I think you want to really mess around with,” Dubas said. “We have to do what’s right for his long-term health. 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.”
Muzzin showed in last year’s first-round series against Tampa what makes him so special and unique to the Leafs. His most frequent forward opponent in the seven-game series was Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov.
In those 42 minutes, the Leafs were basically even on the shot clock (21-22) and scoreboard (1-1). That’s what neutralization looks like.
With a hand from T.J. Brodie, Muzzin made Tampa’s top players work. He made passage to the net difficult with that large 6-foot-3, 230-plus pound frame. He was physical, dishing out 25 hits in the seven-game series. He also blocked 16 shots.
Muzzin is the only Leaf defender with that particular set of skills — big and brawny and perfectly suited to play playoff hockey.
It’s why the Leafs decided not to spend his long-term injured reserve money last season, amid those concussions, and risk not having him around for that postseason — a choice they almost certainly won’t have this season. (More on that in a second.)
Muzzin is immensely valuable off the ice, too.
“His experience and his voice in the room and in the games, that’s another area that you take him out and other people are now having to say more, address different situations,” Keefe said earlier this month.
Muzzin can still help with the intangible stuff. He’s remained around the team the last month and has sat in on some meetings. But the Leafs lose his presence on the bench and in the dressing room.
Keefe can put together a perfectly decent group of six without Muzzin, something like this when Brodie returns from an oblique injury in a couple of weeks:
Rielly – Brodie Giordano – Holl Sandin – Liljegren
A group like that might be able to win a round. Not four.
The Leafs have been reluctant to stress Mark Giordano — and with good reason. He’s not just the oldest defenceman in the league, he’s the oldest player in the league, period, at 39. It’s too much to ask him to do the top-line tango every other night in the postseason at this point in his career.
Justin Holl has played better of late after a rough start to the season. But ideally, he’s not asked to duel with elite talent night after night in the playoffs. Holl is best suited to a third-pairing role, with major penalty-killing responsibilities. (That’s another area in which the Leafs will miss Muzzin.) He had success doing just that on a third pair with Giordano last spring.
When asked about trade possibilities in the aftermath of the Muzzin news, Dubas pointed to the two young defencemen and the expectation that both would take on increased responsibility in the weeks and months to come.
Step one for management without Muzzin indefinitely, Dubas said, was to see “how much (Sandin and Liljegren) can handle, and whether they can, with the increased opportunity, continue to elevate themselves as they each have in their respective starts to their careers with us.”
“Step two,” he went on, “would be then identifying, even if they elevate themselves, whether it’s going to be enough to help us really accomplish what we want to accomplish, and then evaluate the trade market and go from there.”
That’s the key right there.
Truth is, even the best possible versions of Sandin and Liljegren, at this age especially, don’t fill the Muzzin gap.
Not even close. We know that already.
Sandin’s opportunity briefly ticked up after Muzzin was hurt initially against Arizona. It quickly became clear that top-four responsibility, alongside Holl in particular, was too much for him to handle.
The Leafs reordered their pairs as a result.
Liljegren was dropped onto the top pair right away after his return from hernia surgery earlier this month.
Over the weekend, he was replaced by veteran Jordie Benn, who will remain alongside Morgan Rielly for the time being on that No. 1 pair.
Liljegren will hang with close pal Sandin on the third pair.
In other words, even without Muzzin and Brodie, the Leafs will keep things light for Sandin and Liljegren.
The Leafs don’t have the ingredients to put together an ideal shutdown pair — for the playoffs — without Muzzin or an outside alternative of some kind. A Brodie-Holl combo is probably the best possible internal solution, but that leaves Rielly without an ideal partner — and again, asks a lot of Holl.
A Muzzin replacement would have to solve that problem, whether he plays with Rielly, Brodie, or even if it’s not ideal, Holl.
The Leafs will need to come up with someone better than Holl and Giordano and more ready for top-line combat than Sandin and Liljegren. Someone who can survive in elite waters in a playoff series — multiple playoff series.
Muzzin’s timeline basically ensures they’ll have to act.
He won’t be re-evaluated until late February. In other words, the Leafs won’t know if there’s even a possibility of his return until days before the March 3 trade deadline. This means that, unlike last season, Dubas won’t really have a choice when it comes to spending Muzzin’s cap dollars.
The Leafs don’t have the luxury of leaving such a significant roster spot to chance.
They have no choice but to operate under the assumption that Muzzin is not coming back — which puts the possibility of Muzzin’s return this season into even greater doubt. Were they to spend his LTI money, Muzzin (barring other injuries) wouldn’t be able to return until the playoffs. And the chances of Muzzin missing nearly the entire regular season only to return for postseason action are basically none.
It’ll take some serious scouring to find a fit who’s gettable.
If the Washington Capitals fall out of playoff contention, would they be willing to move on from the rugged Dmitry Orlov? He’s headed for free agency next summer, with a cap hit of $5.1 million, and fits the prototype of what the Leafs need to replace Muzzin.
So does (sort of) Senators defenceman Artem Zub. He’s injured at the moment, but has only a $2.5 million cap hit and is due to hit unrestricted free agency next summer if Ottawa doesn’t sign him first.
Is Islanders behemoth Scott Mayfield enough of an upgrade on Holl? He would fit nicely on a pairing with Rielly. So might Chicago’s Connor Murphy, another gigantic right-shooting defender who’s signed for this season and three more after that ($4.4 million cap hit).
The Leafs would surely prefer that any player they acquire to replace Muzzin have some term on his contract, but given the stakes of the season, they may not have the luxury of being quite so choosy.
Muzzin being on long-term injured reserve means the Leafs have the cap space to go get someone.
The other part of the equation: What do they have to trade? Will Dubas be free to move another first-round pick? Would he part with one of Sandin or Liljegren (as part of a package perhaps) if it nets his team a serious upgrade — with term on their deal?
Would he move Nick Robertson?
The news that Muzzin may not return this season isn’t unexpected. But it does all but ensure the Leafs have to do something to replace him.
(Top photo by Kevin Sousa / NHLI via Getty Images)
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.
The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.
Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.
There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.
Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.
But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.
The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”
The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.
Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.
Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.
Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.
Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.
“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”
“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.
Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.
Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.
The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.
Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.
Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.
Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.
Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.
Canada Roster
Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).
Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).
Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).
Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
