Jake Muzzin
Jake Muzzin missed 35 games last season due to injury.
When he was able to play, he looked rusty from time to time. He finished the season with three goals and 11 assists for 14 points. It was his lowest points total since the 2010-11 season. Muzzin scored 0.9 points per 60 minutes, which was the lowest on the team, besides Lyubushkin, which is not saying much.
Muzzin’s offense declined to the point where he is scoring less than Justin Holl, who is his normal partner. Also, while Muzzin carried the pairing in the past, this year it was Holl who the better player when the two were separated.
Muzzin didn’t look as good as he used to defensively, and he was the only regular Leafs defenseman last year to lose his minutes, with the Leafs being outscored 43-35 when Muzzin was on the ice (47%).
Muzzin had a very good expected goals rating (54%) and a low on-ice save percentage (89%) which should at least suggest he was getting a bit unlucky. As a counterpoint, however, both Liiljegren and Giordano overcame a similarly low save percentage to win their minutes.
He might not have had a good regular season, but Muzzin redeemed himself somewhat in the playoffs. During the first-round series against the Lightning, Muzzin recorded three points in seven games, played 22 minutes per night, and posted a positive possession rating. His playoff expected goals rating was, however, lower than his regular season rating.
Still, he gets props for the positive results, but with two concussions and 35 games missed, it’s unclear how much longer he can be counted on.