Muzzin meets Toronto media for the first time, projects spot in the lineup

Alongside Rielly on the top pair? Or calm down Gardiner on the second pair?

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 5 years ago
Muzzin meets Toronto media for the first time, projects spot in the lineup
Zuma Press

In case you missed it, the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired defenseman Jake Muzzin from the Los Angeles Kings yesterday evening in exchange for forward Carl Grundstrom, the rights to Sean Durzi and Toronto’s first-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.



Muzzin, who still has one year left on a deal that pays him $4 million annually, has four goals and 21 points in 50 games with the Kings this season. He's a three time 40+ point defenseman who has played the majority of his career alongside Norris Trophy contender Drew Doughty, and as a result has often been overshadowed by Doughty, but he's a fine defender in his own right. Suffice it to say though that the Leafs have paid a handsome sum of three good young assets for Muzzin this season and next.

Grundstrom, 21 years old, was drafted in the second round (57th overall) by the Leafs in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft and has had an outstanding first season with the AHL's Toronto Marlies. The six foot, 200 pound winger has 13 goals and 29 points in 42 games with the Marlies this season.

Durzi, a Mississauga native, has 28 points in 26 games split between the OHL's Owen Sound Attack and Guelph Storm this season.

Muzzin, along with Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas, met with the Toronto media last night to talk about the deal and how he projects himself into the Leafs’ top four defence corps.

Check out some of these quotes courtesy of TSN’s Kristen Shilton:

Muzzin, on hearing the news:



Dubas, on negotiations with Kings GM Rob Blake:



Muzzin, on where he expects to play:



Dubas, on the same question and how he feels it impacts star defenceman Morgan Rielly:






Muzzin, on returning to his hometown Leafs: