Muzzin practiced with the Maple Leafs for the first time Thursday and while he was paired with Morgan Rielly on the top pairing, coach Mike Babcock intends to start him on the left side for now, reports Mark Masters of TSN.ca.

EDGE Analysis

This is a bit of a surprise, as speculation about a right-side deployment with Rielly has been the talk of the NHL since the deal went down. It may eventually come, but for now the Toronto blue line appears to be in major flux. The Leafs did experiment with Muzzin as a second defender on the power play, but even that remains up in the air. Muzzin is a beast five-on-five and brings 40-point ability, but we need to see what Babs decides once his new defender gets comfortable. Muzzin starts his career in blue and white Friday against Detroit.

Muzzin was sent to Toronto in exchange for Carl Grundstrom, Sean Durzi and a 2019 first-round pick.

EDGE Analysis

In the first "blockbuster" trade as the deadline approaches, Toronto adds a major boost to its lacking blue line. Muzzin is a shutdown defenseman that has eaten up over 21 minutes of ice time per game in each of the last five seasons. He should see an even bigger timeshare with the Maple Leafs as he's now their premiere blueliner. This trade not only drives up Toronto's championship hopes, but also Muzzin's fantasy value.

Muzzin garnered a pair of assists versus the Penguins on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Muzzin may be stuck in an eight-game goal drought, but he has managed five assists over that stretch, along with 19 shots, 19 hits and 18 blocks. Despite averaging 1:37 of power-play ice time in his last 10 outings, the blueliner is pointless with the man advantage.

Muzzin opened the scoring and set up Matt Luff's goal in a 4-3 overtime loss to Buffalo on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Muzzin has really stepped up his game in December, scoring six points in 2018's final month after managing five points in the first two months combined. If you need assist help in deeper leagues, he's worth a look.

Muzzin grabbed two assists in Saturday's 5-1 win over the Golden Knights.

EDGE Analysis

The 29-year-old now has four points (all assists) in his last four games, a huge improvement on the one goal and five points he managed in his first 26 contests of the season. Muzzin isn't seeing his usual ice time with the mad advantage, which has certainly cut into his production, but if he can heat up at even strength he could work his way back onto the top power-play unit.

Muzzin has just two points -- a goal and an assist -- through 13 games since the beginning of November.

EDGE Analysis

Muzzin's averaging 21:18 of ice time this season, but he has a tenuous grip on a power-play role, slipping from 2:15 of man-advantage ice time in 2017-18 to a 47-second clip this year. Naturally, this has had an adverse effect on his ability to produce. In fact, Muzzin's only generated one goal and four helpers through 24 games, with the early-season coaching change -- Willie Desjardins has replaced John Stevens -- likely causing a bit of confusion about how this team can move forward in a successful manner.

Muzzin had an assist on his team's only goal in a 5-1 loss to Ottawa on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

The trip to eastern Canada seems to have been good for Muzzin, who's put an assist on the stat sheet in both Montreal and Ottawa. He's now up to three assists in five games and seems to be putting to rest concerns that he might not be back to his old self.

Muzzin has one point and an even plus-minus rating in three games so far.

EDGE Analysis

Muzzin came out flying last season, scoring in six of the Kings' first seven contests, including six assists. However, he didn't finish last year very strong, scoring just 10 points in his final 25 games. Three games is nothing to be concerned about, but if the trend continues, there might be reason to worry. For now, keep using him if he's among your best options, but watch him carefully.

Muzzin dealt with a shoulder injury toward the end of 2017-18, but is expected to be ready to go for the upcoming season, Curtis Zupke of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Muzzin was ineffective in his two playoff games following his return from injury, a good indication he was still feeling the affects of his shoulder issue. Now back to 100 percent, the blueliner figures to slot into the top pairing with Drew Doughty.

Muzzin picked up a minor penalty and threw two shots on goal in over 22 minutes of time on ice during Sunday's Game 3 loss to Vegas.

EDGE Analysis

Game 3 marked the first time in the lineup for Muzzin since he suffered an upper-body injury on March 26 which forced him to miss the next seven contests. Muzzin wasn't the only returnee on the Kings' blue line in Game 3, with fellow top-pairing defenseman Drew Doughty re-entering the lineup after serving a one-game suspension. With Los Angeles now facing a 3-0 series deficit, expect the pairing of Muzzin and Doughty to spend a lot of time on ice for however long this series lasts.