Maple Leafs Acquire Jake Muzzin

[Josh]

Pretty huge acquisition for the Leafs.

Toronto traded Carl Grundstrom, Sean Durzi, and their 1st round pick in the 2019 draft to LA for Jake Muzzin.

[Matt the Aussie]

Reaction to this seems to be mixed here in Leafs land. Personally, I think this is a smart move, they've got a guy signed through next year who can play right-side and allow Hainsey to not play top minutes. Plus they've given themselves time to make more moves at the deadline if they feel more help is needed. Lost the first rounder but they still have all their top prospects and roster players intact.

I know they haven't yet made any noise in the playoffs but very soon, one of those kids will not fit into the cap. They have to go for it now.

[Josh]

Reaction to this seems to be mixed here in Leafs land. Personally, I think this is a smart move, they've got a guy signed through next year who can play right-side and allow Hainsey to not play top minutes. Plus they've given themselves time to make more moves at the deadline if they feel more help is needed. Lost the first rounder but they still have all their top prospects and roster players intact.

I know they haven't yet made any noise in the playoffs but very soon, one of those kids will not fit into the cap. They have to go for it now.

What are the negative reactions, if any?

[Alfie11]

Reaction to this seems to be mixed here in Leafs land. Personally, I think this is a smart move, they've got a guy signed through next year who can play right-side and allow Hainsey to not play top minutes. Plus they've given themselves time to make more moves at the deadline if they feel more help is needed. Lost the first rounder but they still have all their top prospects and roster players intact.

I know they haven't yet made any noise in the playoffs but very soon, one of those kids will not fit into the cap. They have to go for it now.

Well, Muzzin strictly plays the left-side, at least that's what I've heard. Still, allows Hainsey to move off the top pair, and gives the Leafs a really solid top four D. He's won a Cup in LA and isn't over the hill or anything like that.

He came at a bit of a steep price, but I agree with you. The Leafs need to go for it soon. You have 170+ points coming from Matthews/Marner on ELC...honestly, this could be their best chance.

[Matt the Aussie]

What are the negative reactions, if any?

A lot of comments about the Leafs giving up too much for the return they got.

I don't watch a lot of LA but I have heard from several people Muzzin is capable of playing his off-side and talk of him paired with Rielly.

[matchesmalone]

Steep price? What the fuck? Did I miss something? Grundstrom is blue chip can't miss prospect suddenly?

Or is it the late first round pick? Do fans seriously still have such an abysmal understanding of the value of draft picks?

Fuck sake, Josh we've gotta get this project of ours underway soon. Casual hockey fans are in a dire state of ignorance, and only we can rescue them...

[Josh]

I have to agree that it’s an amazing price for a player like Muzzin. I don’t think Brandon was suggesting that he wouldn’t have taken the deal, but echoing what he’s hearing from Leafs fans. Muzzin is a great piece to add.

It is perplexing to have Gardiner, Muzzin, and Rielly when they all shoot left though. Seems like a pretty safe bet that Gardiner gets traded.

[matchesmalone]

Oh yeah totally. I didn't mean to make it sound like I was going at Alfie. Just once an idea gets put out there and the Leafs are involved, it turns into a whirlwind.

[Josh]

Oh yeah totally. I didn't mean to make it sound like I was going at Alfie. Just once an idea gets put out there and the Leafs are involved, it turns into a whirlwind.

And I didn’t want to imply you were taking a shot at him either, no worries. Unless he does think it’s a bad deal for Toronto, in which case, wtf Brandon, lol.

Haha, so Canadian. Sorry for making you say sorry.

[Josh]

And yeah, I’ve seen Toronto fans say that Andersen was a bad acquisition, that Dubas is a poor GM, that Babcock is ruining the team, and that Tavares wasn’t worth it. I’ve seen them hate on Jake Gardiner, and I can corroborate what Brandon was saying - some fans on HFBoards are seriously claiming that they gave up too much for Muzzin.

Talk about ungrateful! But maybe they can’t be blamed after so many years of disappointment..

[Matt the Aussie]

And yeah, I’ve seen Toronto fans say that Andersen was a bad acquisition, that Dubas is a poor GM, that Babcock is ruining the team, and that Tavares wasn’t worth it. I’ve seen them hate on Jake Gardiner, and I can corroborate what Brandon was saying - some fans on HFBoards are seriously claiming that they gave up too much for Muzzin.

Talk about ungrateful! But maybe they can’t be blamed after so many years of disappointment..

This. I think this is what a lot of Leafs fans are worried about. They haven't won a playoff round yet. It's hard to transition that lack of belief, especially when the Leafs do what they always do and start to fade at the All Star break. The fact is they have one of the best groups of forwards of any Leafs team in recent memory. If they DON'T do anything with this group it would be a shame.

I was just thinking about it...Leafs aren't likely to catch Tampa in the standings. That means, if they can keep their spot, their path is likely one of vs. Montreal or Boston, THEN Tampa in round 2. Yeesh.