Toronto Maple Leafs: Jake Muzzin Starts New Career

Monday morning the Toronto Maple Leafs announced multiple additions to their management group including a new role for veteran defenseman Jake Muzzin.

Muzzin will now serve the Toronto Maple Leafs in the role of Pro Scout.

The Woodstock, Ontario native joined the  Leafs organization shortly before the 2019 NHL Trade Deadline when former general manager Kyle Dubas acquired him from the Los Angeles Kings for Sean Durzi, Carl Grundstrom and a first round pick.

When he was acquired, Muzzin had an additional year left on his contract at $4 Million per season and would sign a four-year extension with a few months left on the deal a year later.  Unfortunately for the physical defenseman, due to COVID and multiple injuries, he would end up playing just 104 regular season games on that four year deal.

This past summer, the   Leafs announced that Muzzin would not be playing out the final year of his contract due to the injuries; that many worried that if they got worse, it could be life altering.  As such, Muzzin would be placed on long term injured reserve and his $5.625 cap hit would be taken away from the salary cap.

Muzzin’s career will officially come to an end with 683 career games, which includes one Stanley Cup ring (2014 Los Angeles Kings) and 294 career points.  The former fifth round pick, also received consideration for the Norris Trophy twice before, including finishing 11th in voting during the split season he had with the Kings and Maple Leafs.

Toronto Maple Leafs Bring in Former Goalie

In addition to Muzzin being named Pro Scout, the Maple Leafs also announced that former goalie Curtis McElhinney was named as Director of Goaltending Development and Scouting.

McElhinney became a folk hero in Toronto during the 2016-17 season when he was claimed off of waivers the Columbus Blue Jackets.

He’d finish out the season as the back-up to Frederik Andersen and made the save of the season with under a minute to play in regulation to help secure the first playoff spot in the Matthews/Marner era.

With just 48 second left during the final game of the season, in which the team needed to win to make the playoffs, McElhinney had to make a post to post save off a one-timer from Sidney Crosby.

Included in the announcements on Monday morning,  Chris Bourque will stay with the team in a new role as College Free Agent Scout.  This will be Bourque’s second season with Toronto after joining the team last year.