Rumor: More Leafs and Kings trade rumblings

Toronto Maple Leafs general manger Kyle Dubas set market ahead of this month’s NHL Trade Deadline by acquiring defenseman Jake Muzzin from the Los Angeles Kings late last month.

Dubas acquired Muzzin, who is signed through the 2019-20 season, in exchange for two prospects (Carl Grundstrom and Sean Durzi) and a first-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. It was a steep price to pay, but so far the gamble has paid off for Dubas and the Leafs. 

Now a report from NHL insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet seems to indicate the the Leafs and Kings were also discussing forward Kyle Clifford while negotiating the Muzzin trade but, obviously, Clifford didn’t end up as part of the deal. Could the teams circle back on him ahead of the deadline though?

Check out Friedman’s report from his latest 31 Thoughts column for Sportsnet:

Can’t be sure, but there are rumblings Toronto GM Kyle Dubas asked about Kyle Clifford when he was talking to Los Angeles about Muzzin. Dubas knows Clifford from his days working at Uptown, which still represents the winger. Clifford has a great reputation, and a contract Toronto could fit. Those, of course, are two reasons L.A. is happy to keep him.

To be honest, Clifford is just the kind of player that Leafs fans have been begging for all season long. He’s a tough as nails winger who can play 3rd and 4th line duty with no problem, but can also chip in some offence from time to time. He’s signed to a reasonable $1.6 million annual deal through next season.

The 28 year old native of Ayr, Ontario has seven goals and 11 points in 46 games with the Kings this season.