The Toronto Maple Leafs have placed defenseman Jake Muzzin on injured reserve after leaving Monday’s game against Arizona with an apparent neck injury.
The move means Muzzin will be out for a minimum of seven days from the last time he played, making him eligible to return next week when the Leafs go on a western road trip.
Muzzin left Monday’s game early after colliding with Coyotes forward Clayton Keller. With Muzzin out, the Leafs recalled Filip Kral from the Toronto Marlies.
Muzzin has been plagued with injury issues during his career. He was out three separate times with concussion issues last year and missed the start of training camp with a nagging back injury. Muzzin played in 47 regular season games and the entire seven-game playoff run with the Leafs last year.
Muzzin has one assist through four games, helping to set up David Kampf for Toronto’s first goal in a 3-2 victory over Ottawa on Saturday.
Kral has played in both games with the Toronto Marlies this season and had 21 points in 58 games last season. The 22-year-old Czechia native hasn’t played an NHL game yet, and likely won’t on Thursday with Victor Mete expected to slot in, but they could keep him around for the team’s upcoming trek west.
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