• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Los Angeles Kings
Kings Transactions

Kings or Maple Leafs – Who Won the Muzzin Trade?

By Kevin Armstrong April 3rd, 2020

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

In January of 2019, the Los Angeles Kings signalled to the hockey world that a rebuild was imminent. They traded defenseman Jake Muzzin to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Carl Grundstrom, the rights to Sean Durzi and a first-round pick, which LA used to get Tobias Björnfot.

At the time, there was a mixed response as to who won the trade. The Maple Leafs got a top-pairing defenseman and gave up nothing on their current roster. The Kings got a high draft pick, a highly-touted defensive prospect, and a winger who was lost in the overpopulated Toronto system of forwards.

Related: NHL’s Best Farm Systems Ranked – Midseason Update

Is that picture clearing yet? Not everyone has a crystal ball – just thousands of Twitter users, and that annoying co-worker who thinks he knows everything about hockey. Let’s try The Hockey Writers’ Magic 8-Ball with three questions.

The THW Magic 8-Ball decides all. (THW Archives)

1. Could Muzzin play 10 to 20 minutes of shutdown defence?

2. Would Muzzin keep his defensive partner in line?

3. Is Muzzin a good character guy, who could mentor other players?

“As I see it, yes,” floats to the surface. Several times during the 2019-20 campaign, Kings head coach Todd McLellan said the team played 50 minutes – it was the other 10 that lost the game. Those minutes would’ve been filled by Muzzin.

On nights Los Angeles put together a solid 60, there were several defensive breakdowns. Those would’ve been significantly reduced with Muzzin on the ice.

Muzzin Was Needed in LA

Let’s cut to the chase, Muzzin is a two-time Stanley Cup winner, and he just signed an extension in Toronto because of his skill and leadership. There is no doubt he could’ve changed some of the Kings’ losses into wins this season.

Related: Longest Stanley Cup Droughts

Now, would it matter? Would the Kings with Muzzin beat the Boston Bruins, St. Louis Blues, or Tampa Bay Lightning in the playoffs? “Cannot predict now,” says the Magic 8-Ball.

Los Angeles Kings' Jake Muzzin
Jake Muzzin played seven seasons for the Los Angeles Kings (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Jae C. Hong)

Kings’ fans knew the team would not be cashing in immediately when they got prospects and a pick. But, the fan base was not prepared to be in the basement of the Western Conference either.

Back to the THW’s Magic 8-Ball.

1. Will Grunstrom be a late-bloomer?

2. Will Bjornfot live up to his billing?

3. Will Durzi be the next Doughty?

After several shakes, I got: “Cannot predict now.” “Concentrate and ask again.” “Reply hazy, try again.” Well, no magic on this one, so we’ll examine for ourselves.

It’s Up to the Kings’ Farm System

Grundstrom and Björnfot made the roster out of training camp. However, that was quickly determined to be a fluke as they were reassigned to the Ontario Reign after just three NHL games.

Grundstrom, who was drafted in the second round of the 2016 draft, shows flashes of being a top-six forward. Last season he scored in his NHL debut, putting up five goals and an assist in 15 games. He recorded four assists in 13 games in the 2019-20 campaign.

His time with the Kings has earned him some nicknames, including Tank and Tonka. At 6-foot, 201-pounds, he plays physical and can be heavy on the puck. That’s the kind of player the Kings need.

Related: Pavel Bure – A Tribute to the Russian Rocket

“He’s got to find a way to contribute a little bit, McLellan told reporters after Grundstrom was sent down in February, “there are some other things that he’s got to do well. He has the nickname Tonka for a reason, and he’s got to use that body and get involved and create opportunities for other players, too.”

Carl Grundstrom Los Angeles Kings
Carl Grundstrom, Los Angeles Kings (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Bjornfot made his NHL debut at the age of 18 years, 182 days, the fifth-youngest King to appear in a game. However, the early promise coming out of training came quickly faded. He was a minus-four in his first three games, lost the top pairing spot with Drew Doughty, and his ice time and confidence were dropping each period. Before leaving the locker room, the Kings’ Norris Trophy winner had some advice.

“You’re a young guy, you’ve got a bright future in this league. When you’re not playing, there’s no point in being up in the NHL just sitting in the stands watching, so it’s good for him to go down in the A, get some playing time, get his confidence back up, and he’ll be back here eventually,” Doughty told the media after Bjornfot was sent down.

Although his first three NHL games did not go as he or the Kings hoped, don’t forget how much scouts loved this kid, including THW’s prospect report: “Björnfot will be an impact defender on the team that drafts him, capable of being used in all situations. Whether he’s leading the rush, quarterbacking the power play or working the penalty kill, the young defender makes himself known on the ice.”

The third part of the trade was the rights to Durzi, who the Maple Leafs had drafted in the second round of the 2018 draft. The Kings signed him in July 2019. He was considered by many to be the big piece coming back the other way – check out what Fox Sports West reported they heard from scouts about Durzi:

If your scouting report compares you to @TomBrady and Peyton Manning, you're doing something right@lakingsinsider has what you need to know about @seandurzi, who just signed a 3-year entry-level contract with the @LAKings pic.twitter.com/yLlzAf1hbB

— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) April 1, 2019

Here is more from the Kings’ team scouts as reported by the Kings Insider, Jon Rosen:

He moves the puck at an “elite” level, using very good feet and vision and a poise that was compared to Tom Brady and Peyton Manning in the sense that he grades well at looking off first and second options to find a third option both on breakouts and while pulling strings in the offensive zone. He’s excellent at reading plays and making what were described as “check-downs” and doesn’t force players to wait to get them the puck. This allows him to play at a raised pace both and in transition and from the blue line in the offensive zone, where he’s capable of creating offence. It’s not easy to find players who project as power play quarterback-types in the NHL, but Durzi, 6-foot and 187-pounds, certainly qualifies as a player who makes good reads and distributes the puck well to drive offence.

In conclusion, the Maple Leafs are contenders with Muzzin, who is a big piece of the present and future. The Kings have next to nothing to show for trading him, other than a lot of hopes and a lot of pressure on the farm system to develop these prospects – and fast.

As it stands, this is a clear win for Toronto. How long it takes – or if it will ever look like a win for LA, the Magic 8-Ball says “better not tell you now.”

  • Tags
  • Carl Grundstrom
  • Jake Muzzin
  • Sean Durzi
  • Tobias Bjornfot
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 20th 6:10 PM
Column

Red Wings News & Rumors: Protocol, Rasmussen, Howard & More

Jan 20th 6:00 PM
Nashville Predators

Predators’ Forward Depth Leading to Wins

Jan 20th 5:35 PM
Column

Islanders Weekly: Shutouts, Injury Scares & Scoring Concerns

Jan 20th 4:33 PM
Archives

2010 NHL Entry Draft: 5 Forgotten Picks

Jan 20th 4:15 PM
Vegas Golden Knights

3 Pros and 3 Cons to Golden Knights’ Goalie Split

Jan 20th 4:05 PM
Florida Panthers

Panthers Offense Flourishes but Goaltending & Special Teams Need Work

Jan 20th 3:15 PM
Column

Red Wings Wednesday Weekly: Hockey is Back Everyone!

Jan 20th 2:35 PM
Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks Seeing Hot Starts From Some but Serious Concerns Linger

Jan 20th 2:20 PM
NHL Entry Draft

2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini’s Top 75 Rankings

Jan 20th 1:50 PM
Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers’ Goaltending & Defense Among Standouts Through Week 1

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information