2020 NHL Season: Grading the Toronto Maple Leafs’ left defense at season pause

Jake Muzzin

Games Played: 53
Goals: 6
Assists: 17
Points: 23

The 2019-20 campaign has robbed Maple Leafs fans of a full season of the club’s finest two-way defender, as numerous injuries have caused Jake Muzzin to miss 17 of 70 matchups played thus far. But when No. 8 is active on the ice, few would trouble the notion that his presence is consistently felt.

Hitherto, Muzzin has served as a refreshing pillar of defensive stability for an organization that continues to struggle in its own end. The 31-year-old acts as a positionally sound force who is not afraid to throw his weight around, offering accountability of the astute variety.

His six goals and 17 assists for 23 points across 53 games in 2019-20 was impressive, but so too was his effort without the puck. Both the aforementioned Keefe and former head coach Mike Babcock did not hesitate to utilize Muzzin in difficult situations. The player, in turn, was placed in problematized positions on a recurring basis — a reality that demonstrated a degree of trust in Muzzin among the club’s administrative body that many of his teammates were not afforded.

More than anything, Muzzin’s absence outlined his importance to Toronto’s back end, which explains why the defenseman was rewarded with a four-year contract extension valued at $22.5 million on Feb. 24. As such, expect the team to make the most of its most promising defensive player in the years to come.

Grade: A-