Yesterday, the Maple Leafs officially put Jake Muzzin on LTIR, settling the question on whether he’ll be out for only a short while or for much longer. The Leafs obviously can’t say for certain that he’ll be out just long enough for the playoffs to start (or risk angering Gary), but indications are they’re going to make the most of the LTIR pool money they now have. Muzzin will be out pretty much to the end of the season. And any significant deadline adds will then confirm that he won’t be able to return during the reason season.
Get as close to cap as you possibly can before going into LTIR -- that's the way to maximize it.