The cervical spine injury sustained by Jake Muzzin has increased the likelihood of the Toronto Maple Leafs being active in the NHL trade market for a defender.

With Jake Muzzin out indefinitely after suffering a cervical spine injury, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ defense took a major hit.

His absence has prompted speculation about whether or not they would resort to the trade market for assistance until his February reevaluation.

JAKE MUZZIN

The general manager, Kyle Dubas, has informed the press that he would first try to get young defensemen like Timothy Liljegren and Rasmus Sandin to stand up before resorting to a deal. The Leafs’ general manager may not find many options for a shutdown defenseman if he decides to go out and look.

John Klingberg and Kevin Shattenkirk were both named as potential candidates by Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek. Elliotte Friedman, his coworker, disagrees and thinks the Leafs don’t need any of the defenseman from the Anaheim Ducks. Furthermore, Friedman mentioned speculations that the Leafs were interested in Jakob Chychrun, although he expressed skepticism due to Chychrun’s injury history and the Arizona Coyotes’ high asking price.

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The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel pondered if upcoming free agents like Dmitry Orlov of the Washington Capitals, Artem Zub of the Ottawa Senators, and Scott Mayfield of the New York Islanders would be available for trade. With the standings still up in the air, it’s doubtful that they’ll be made accessible at this time.

It’s likely that the trade deadline, which is set for March 3, will pass before those defenders are put up for sale. The Leafs could have already lost by the time that happens.