On the 28th of January, at around 7:15 PM, the Toronto Maple Leafs traded F Carl Grundstrom, D Sean Durzi (rights) & their 2019 1st Round Pick for D Jake Muzzin. This trade benefited both teams as Toronto needed a top 4 defensive defenseman and got just that in Jake Muzzin. The Kings look to be heading in the path of a rebuild, and got pieces for their future in Grundstrom, Durzi and whoever they pick this year with the 1st rounder they got.

Muzzin is set to play next to D Morgan Rielly on the top pair. Which side is the question. I see him playing on the right however as he is said to be good on either side, better than Rielly is on the right side.

Here’s a more detailed look into our new addition to the blueline. Muzzin, 29, was born 2 hours away from Toronto in Woodstock, Ontario. Muzzin was drafted 141st overall by the Penguins in 2007. He went unsigned with the Penguins, and later on signed a 3 year ELC as a free agent with the Kings in 2010. Muzzin has spent 8 ½ years with the Kings organization.

Muzzin this year has arguably been the Kings’ best defenseman. He has +10 +/- on a losing 20-26-4  LA Kings team. Comparably to the Kings’ posterboy defenseman Drew Doughty. Doughty has a -16 +/-. There’s your difference maker if you think this is a bad trade.

Muzzin has a 4M cap hit for 2 more years on his contract. No clauses.

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