The Maple Leafs blue line took yet another hit on Tuesday.
Just one day removed from signing a four-year contract extension, Jake Muzzin suffered a broken hand blocking a shot in the team's 4-3 win over Tampa Bay. Toronto announced on Wednesday that he'll miss approximately four weeks.
TRADE DEADLINE WINNERS, LOSERS: Oilers, Hurricanes seize day
The injury occurred in the second period with Muzzin battling for position with forward Anthony Cirelli in front of Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen. A shot from the blue line hit him in the hand; he was ruled out for the remainder of the game at the start of the third period.
The Leafs have another huge void to fill as they fight for a playoff spot with Muzzin out. Toronto's defense is already without Morgan Rielly (broken foot) and Cody Ceci (ankle injury). Toronto's defense is among the worst in the NHL, tied for fifth-worst in the league at 3.27 goals allowed per game.
Calle Rosen, who was reacquired on Monday in a swap with the Avalanche that sent Michael Hutchinson west, was recalled after the news came down and is expected to slot in. The 26-year-old defenseman was originally traded to Colorado along with Nazem Kadri for Tyson Barrie and Alexander Kerfoot.
No North American coach knows Rosen better than Keefe: “I like Rosie a lot. He really worked hard over his time with the Marlies to become a top-end defenceman in the American League and I thought he was right there in terms of being prepared to play in the NHL." Into the fire.
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) February 26, 2020
One plus for Rosen and the Leafs is that coach Sheldon Keefe was his bench boss in the AHL, so familiarity may make the addition a smooth one. It'll be needed as the Leafs defense is now on the young, inexperienced side with Justin Holl in his first full year and rookies Rosen, Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren potentially getting ice time.