The Toronto Maple Leafs might have a decision to make on defenseman Jake Muzzin, who recently suffered a head injury during a lopsided loss to the Montreal Canadiens on the road Monday night. In an appearance on TSN's Insider Trading, Darren Dreger floated the idea that the Maple Leafs could look at adding a defenseman or a top-six forward should they decide to put Muzzin on the Long Term Injured Reserve (LTIR).

If Jake Muzzin is out long-term and the Toronto Maple Leafs are able to place him on LTIR that frees up over $5.6 million in cap space. Now, Muzzin is back in Toronto. He is said to be feeling okay. When you look at the defensemen that the Toronto Maple Leafs are targeting, you look at  Hampus Lindholm in Annheim. You're looking at John Klingberg with the Dallas Stars. We've talked about Ben Chiarot, and what about Mark Giordano from the Seattle Kraken.

Having a player on the LTIR would allow Toronto to exceed the salary cap, but that could also mean that Muzzin will not be able to play at least 10 games. Muzzin's injury could also impact the NHL trade deadline plans of the Maple Leafs, who are currently occupying the third spot in the Atlantic Division with 68 points.