The Los Angeles Kings have traded left-handed defenseman Jake Muzzin to the Toronto Maple Leafs for forward Carl Grundstrom, rights to defenseman Sean Durzi, and a 2019 1st round pick.
The 29-year old Muzzin was drafted 141st overall in the 5th round of the 2007 draft by the Penguins. He carries a $4 million cap hit through next season.
The 21-year old Grundstrom was drafted 57th overall in the 2nd round of the 2016 draft by the Maple Leafs.
The 20-year old Durzi was drated 52nd overall in the 2nd round of the 2018 draft by the Maple Leafs.
Pierre LeBrun: “No salary retained by the Kings. Leafs pick up full contract. Makes a reasonable $4 million this year and next then UFA July 2020”
Cap Friendly: “With only 68 days remaining in the regular season, Jake Muzzin’s $4,000,000 AAV only cost the #Leafs 1,483,871 in cap space. The #Leafs now find themselves with $4,048,925 in projected cap space moving forward.”
John Hoven: Kings GM Rob Blake: “Moving Jake was not easy as he has been a key player for us and a significant part of our most historic & memorable achievements””
Thoughts from the media
Pierre LeBrun: “Don’t underestimate the importance of getting Muzzin a whole extra month before the deadline to adjust to new surroundings. That’s a big factor here. So little practice time in March. Told that things picked up “last few weeks” between Leafs and Kings on Muzzin”
Mike Kelly: “Big get for the Maple Leafs in Jake Muzzin. Big minutes, all situations. Totally different breakouts between LA and TO. Going from a low-pass breakout style in LA to a stretch pass style breakout in Toronto. Muzzin can move it well, though. Strong on the puck also.”
Mike Augello: “The price for D was likely to go up as the days advanced towards February 25, so it was good for Kyle Dubas to make his move now. The fact that Muzzin has another year left on his deal at $4M provides the #Leafs some insurance if/when Jake Gardiner’s contract expires next summer.”
Michael Augello: “#Leafs were going to have to pay a hefty price for a top four D and Grundstrom is an NHL forward probably by next season, but they got the blueliner they needed without giving up Kapanen or Johnsson.”
Matthew Bove: “Realistically Jake Muzzin is what? An average No. 2 defenseman or a solid No. 3 defender? For Toronto this makes a ton of sense. But it’s only a move you make if you realistically think your team can win the cup this year or next year.”
Darren Dreger: “Muzzin will partner with Morgan Rielly and allows Babcock to move Hainsey down to 3rd pairing. Will be an excellent resource for Dermott.”
James Mirtle: “But expect Leafs pairings to be: Muzzin-Rielly Gardiner-Zaitsev Dermott-Hainsey Lot deeper than previously.”
Matt Larkin: “A lot to give up — but this is the point. You accumulate assets for the exact purpose of packaging them to do this. Makes a ton of sense for both sides. Bravo Kings and Leafs”
Dennis Bernstein: “Already will have high 1st round in this draft. Leafs are going for it, not moving any substantial player out until off season. Trade that appears to be solid for both.
Dennis Bernstein: “3 assets including 1st round pick is good value”
Dom Luszczyszyn: “i have gardiner and muzzin as basically equal in value one is going to cost $4M next year one will not big boost to the blue-line this year and a money-saver next year”
Justin Bourne: “I like Grundstrom a lot, but he’s definitely a lottery ticket. I also really like the idea of selling potential for current, actual value if you’re a contender. LA did well too. Seems like a nice deal all around.”
Jeff Veillette: “Noteworthy Carl Grundstrom AHL data for #GoKingsGO
fans – 59.1% CF (+1.7 Corsi Rel) – 2.59 5-on-5 points per 60 (4th among regular Marlies) – 2.86 Game Score / 60 (6th) – Averaged about 15:20 per game TOI, played regularly on the PP via”
Hannah Stuart: “Toronto got Muzzin without giving up any of their highest-level prospects and yet LA still managed to make out well. How often do teams manage that?”
Ryan Wagman: “Per the @mckeenshockey pre-season list, Toronto gave up it #4 and #9 prospects along with a first expected to be in the mid-20s, for 18 months of Muzzin. Reasonable.”
Hannah Stuart: “I don’t always like drafting overagers (it’s not the concept, just the choices teams tend to make) but Durzi was a good pick for the Leafs and I think he’ll be a good prospect for LA moving forward.”
Jeff Veillette: “Grundstrom is a very legitimate NHL prospect in my eyes – if he’s not ready now he’s very close. Leafs had an abundance of good winger options. Good scoring touch, not scared to mix it up or battle for pucks, decent defensive awareness as well. Kings fans will like him.”
Fun thought: the Muzzin trade is extremely similar to the McDonagh trade last year (Top 4 LHD under contract for 1.5 years on a nice deal for a 1st and 2 B-level prospects)
Not ideal handedness (Hedman/Sergachev, Rielly/Gardiner/Dermott) but a great player at a reasonable price. pic.twitter.com/sZHpOScEbY
— Ian Tulloch📊 (@IanGraph) January 29, 2019
Morgan Rielly's list of most common defense partners throughout his career is.. something pic.twitter.com/ZoZj0efOBJ
— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) January 29, 2019
Jake Muzzin
Carl Grundstrom
Sean Durzi