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Toronto Maple Leafs Jake Muzzin Retires, Becomes Pro Scout

By Jeremy Ridgewell

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 6: Jake Muzzin #8 of the Toronto Maple Leafs waits for play to resume against the Boston Bruins during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on November 6, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Bruins 5-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 6: Jake Muzzin #8 of the Toronto Maple Leafs waits for play to resume against the Boston Bruins during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on November 6, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Bruins 5-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Muzzin has officially retired. He last played on October 17th, 2022.

The Toronto Maple Leafs officially hired Muzzin as a Pro Scout on Monday, October 9th, 2023. The Leafs also announced the hiring of Curtis McElhinney as the Director of Goaltending Development and Scouting and Chris Bourque as College Free Agent Scout.

Muzzin finished his career with 69 goals and 225 assists for 294 points in 683 games over 12 seasons. He helped the Los Angeles Kings win the Stanley Cup in 2014.

He also won a gold medal in the 2015 IIHF World Championship and a gold medal in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. (Stats from hockey-reference.com)

Toronto Maple Leafs Jake Muzzin Retires, Becomes Pro Scout

Muzzin’s time with the Leafs did not go the way he had hoped.

Since joining the Leafs in January 2019, Muzzin couldn’t stay healthy. In October, 2022, Muzzin suffered a cervical spine injury. Although he’s been unable to play since then, Muzzin has remained with the Leafs.

Whether it was watching games from the press box or observing Leafs practice with Leafs management, Muzzin has remained around the team even though he’s unable to play. He will now transition into his new scouting role this season. I am glad to see the Leafs finding a way to keep Muzzin within the organization.

The Muzzin injury is a terrible thing not only for the player, but for the team as well. Were Muzzin still playing, he likely would still be the Leafs best defenseman, or at least in competition for the role.  He still hasn’t been adequately replaced and the team clearly misses his skill and leadership.

Even though Muzzin is now retired and working as a Pro Scout, his $5.625 million will remain on the Leafs long-term injured reserve list for the 2023-24 NHL regular season.

As short as it may have been, I enjoyed having Muzzin on the Leafs. He was excellent during his time in Toronto and his acquisition was one of the better trades that ex GM Kyle Dubas made for the team.

Next. Leafs Top 10 Prospects. dark

It is a shame that Leafs fans didn’t get the opportunity to see Muzzin play at his best. It’s nice to see the Leafs giving him another avenue within the organization to contribute. When asked about Muzzin’s new role with the Toronto Maple Leafs, head coach Sheldon Keefe said he is glad Muzzin found a scouting role that will be flexible for him and his family.

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