Leafs sign Muzzin to 4-year, $22.5M extension
The Toronto Maple Leafs have inked defenseman Jake Muzzin to a four-year contract extension with an average annual value of $5.625 million, the team announced Monday.
Muzzin, 31, was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. His new deal includes a no-movement clause for next season that becomes a no-trade clause and then a 10-team no-trade clause in subsequent years, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.
The 6-foot-3 blue-liner has arguably been the Leafs' most consistent defenseman this season despite missing time with a broken foot.
Muzzin has mustered 22 points through 52 games in 2019-20 and leads the Maple Leafs in hits (108) and blocked shots (110). He also ranks second on the team in average ice time, logging 21:43 per game.
Extending Muzzin provides Toronto with some clarity regarding the future of the blue line. Here's a breakdown of the Maple Leafs' defense corps through the 2020-21 season, along with respective players' annual cap hits:
| LD | RD |
|---|---|
| Jake Muzzin ($5.625M) | Justin Holl ($2M) |
| Morgan Rielly ($5M) | Timothy Liljegren ($863K) |
| Rasmus Sandin ($894K) | |
| Martin Marincin ($700K) |
The Maple Leafs will also have a chance to extend Travis Dermott, who is set to become a restricted free agent on July 1.
Muzzin will play a key role down the stretch for Toronto with blue-chip rearguard Morgan Rielly sidelined with a broken foot. The Maple Leafs remain in the thick of a tight Eastern Conference playoff race with 19 games remaining.
Toronto acquired Muzzin from the Los Angeles Kings in January 2019.