Quoting: Bonsignore44
I wouldn’t disagree. Was just putting some hypotheticals together based on some cap numbers and what some rumours on twitter are floating around. Curious to get your thoughts on what kind of return the kings would be open to in terms of a Muzzin package!
It wouldn't work for us from a fundamental point of view.
Blake in 2018 sold off the Kings best assets to (1) get younger (2) get faster (3) stop being bogged down with large contracts paying players into their mid to late 30s.
Muzzin was moved and the Kings found success early in defensive players like Roy, Walker, and Andersson. They then got to the next step with Bjornfot and Durzi, these have been great but the Kings now lack a pivotal piece a 2LD. Although Muzzin could work in this role, he would be similar to how Edler was for the Kings last season. An older player who is a stop-gap until your defensemen get better. The one issue being, Muzzin is signed for another year and at a much larger cap hit. As long as the Kings are still in on Chychrun, there is zero chance of a Muzzin trade as both could not exist on the Kings lineup.
So the following issues would need to be resolved:
- Muzzin would need to waive to LA, believing he has a better chance at winning a cup in the next two years with LA than the Leafs
- The Kings would need to lose out on Chychrun, and cheaper UFA options like Edler, Maata, etc.
- Blake has not yet traded for a player over the age of 30, he would need to be ok with getting the team older which goes against everything he has done to date
- The Kings would need to assess Muzzin medically to ensure his concussions and injuries will not have him missing substantial time like last season.
- As the Kings hold most of the negotiating power, they would not be giving up much a 4th rounder perhaps more with retention.
- The Kings would need to be ok with the fact that Muzzin's best years are behind him, he has statistically declined every year he has been with the Leafs
I know this is a tough pill to swallow, but forcing a trade with the Kings doesn't work in so many ways for them. So they have no incentive to make it work unless Toronto wanted to entice them with Sandin or someone similar.