Since mid-October, the Toronto Maple Leafs have had to deal with the loss of a key player in their defensive lineup, Jake Muzzin. Muzzin suffered a neck injury that turned out to be a serious cervical spine injury. In connection with this injury, a dramatic piece of information surfaced via TSN tipster Chris Johnston, who provided a rather negative update on Muzzin's future in the NHL: <q>I understand he has a follow-up appointment in California with the doctors he saw there. That should be early next week, and then there will be a clear direction [on his future]. It would be a surprise if he could come back and try to make a comeback. He's stayed very close to the team and he's been with them on the road, but I don't think it's going to be possible that he can come back healthy and play again. - Chris Johnston</q> Wow, this is a major turnaround for the Toronto organization who will have to do without their second best defenseman for the year, but also for the following seasons. The 33 year old veteran still has one season left on his $5.625M contract. If the worst comes to the worst for Muzzin, Toronto will have about $3M in cap space to get help before the March 3 trade deadline. If the end of his career comes to pass, it would be a sad end for the man who played 683 games in the NHL. Muzzin has been plagued by injuries since joining the Leafs. He has suffered numerous serious injuries, including several concussions. The number 8 is at a point where it would be beneficial to start looking at life after hockey, so that he can live with much better health conditions during his post-career. Credit: <a href='https://www.bladeofsteel.com/Worst-case-scenario-to-be-confirmed-for-the-Toronto-Maple-Leafs-and-Jake-Muzzin-207015?fbclid=IwAR3cThLrUbpdh7qNTfzbrHZcvE-M5newTSfVPFhSSTC8YiXarpr2UO9G31M' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>BladeOfSteel.com</a>