Welcome to the NHL Buzz. The 2022-23 regular season is underway, and NHL.com has you covered with all the latest news.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Jake Muzzin was placed on injured reserve Wednesday.
The defenseman left a 3-2 loss to the Arizona Coyotes on Monday at 11:03 of the second period when a neck injury sustained in a collision with the Coyotes forward. Clayton Keller. Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said he was told it is not a recurrence of any head injury but that there is no timeline for a return.
“Jake has had a number of injuries that have been cause for concern for us,” Keefe said. “Anytime a player gets injured and has had as many injuries as Jake has had to deal with, there is concern of course. How much concern? I don’t know. I think it’s probably too early to say at this point. We had an event last night he was at and looked like himself in a lot of ways and was here in the facility today. We will let the process take care of itself with the medical folks and take it from there.”
Muzzin has one assist in four games this season. He had two concussions last season and missed part of training camp with back discomfort.
“He’s doing what he can do,” forward Mitchell Marner said. “Obviously for him it’s just making sure that if he does come back and play this year, or whatever happens, just make sure that he’s going to be able to do whatever he wants to do the rest of his life and enjoy the time with his family, his kids and whatever he wants to do. That’s the most important thing.
“On the ice, he’s a big missing piece. He does a lot for us on and off the ice. Calmness on the ice when he has the puck, penalty killing, leadership he brings. It’s definitely a big piece we will be missing but life off the ice is always more important.”
Rasmus Sandin took Muzzin’s spot at practice with Justin Holl. Victor Mete skated with Mark Giordano and is expected to make his Maple Leafs debut against the Dallas Stars on Thursday,
Defenseman Filip Kral was recalled from Toronto of the American Hockey League. — Dave McCarthy
St. Louis Blues
Pavel Buchnevich will be a game-time decision when the Blues play the Seattle Kraken (8 pm ET; SN1, SNW, ALT2, ESPN+, SN NOW) because of a lower-body injury.
Buchnevich did not practice on Tuesday because of a maintenance day. He was on the ice Wednesday when the Blues took their morning skate in Seattle but left early.
“Tough to say right now,” Blues coach Craig Berube said about Buchnevich’s availability. “We’ll see at game time. … We’ll see where he’s at and how he’s doing physically.”
Berube wouldn’t say who would replace Buchnevich on a line with Robert Thomas and Vladimir Tarasenko if he’s unable to play. Josh Leivo was one option that Berube mentioned but the coach also hinted he might go with seven defensemen.
Buchnevich had a goal and an assist in the Blues only game this season, a 5-2 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Oct 15. — Andy Eide
Winnipeg Jets
Nikolaj Ehlers will be a game-time decision for the Jets against the Colorado Avalanche (8 pm ET; SN1, SNW, ALT2, ESPN+, SN NOW) with an undisclosed injury, associate coach Scott Arniel said.
The forward joined the Jets for the morning skate at Ball Arena in Denver before leaving early. He was replaced by Sam Gagner on the top line to the right of Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele.
Coach Rick Bowness is expected back when the Jets return home to play the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. He has not been with them this season after testing positive for COVID-19.
Los Angeles Kings
Alex Iafallo was placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury Tuesday ahead of a 5-4 shootout win at the Nashville Predators.
The forward left late in the third period of a 5-4 overtime win against the Detroit Red Wings on Monday. He had an assist to extend his season-opening point streak to four games (two goals, three assists) before the injury. It was his 100th NHL assist.
He had 37 points (17 goals, 20 assists) in 79 games last season and has 173 points (73 goals, 100 assists) in 365 NHL games, all with the Kings.
Jacob Moverare was recalled by the Kings from Ontario of the American Hockey League. — Dan Rosen
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