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Toronto Maple Leafs Roundtable: Trade Deadline Wishlist

By Mike Stephens

NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 12: Radko Gudas #3 of the Philadelphia Flyers plays the puck against the New Jersey Devils during the game at Prudential Center on January 12, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 12: Radko Gudas #3 of the Philadelphia Flyers plays the puck against the New Jersey Devils during the game at Prudential Center on January 12, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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ST. PAUL, MN – JANUARY 15: Jake Muzzin #6 of the Los Angeles Kings makes a pass during a game with the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center on January 15, 2018 in St. Paul, Minnesota.(Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)
ST. PAUL, MN – JANUARY 15: Jake Muzzin #6 of the Los Angeles Kings makes a pass during a game with the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center on January 15, 2018 in St. Paul, Minnesota.(Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Michael Mazzei

With the trade deadline approaching, I would not be surprised to see the Toronto Maple Leafs have their eyes set on acquiring a defenseman. There are many obvious candidates that are worth considering, but one player that’s highest on my list in Jake Muzzin of the Los Angeles Kings.

Despite not being a right-handed defenseman, Muzzin crosses off a lot of boxes that would be a huge boost to the back end. He has good size and frame (6’3”, 213 pounds), has plenty of playoff experience, is a consistent offensive producer, and is solid in his own end. Since 2013-14, he has registered at least 25 points or higher, including three where he hit the 40-point mark. He has also been a reliable possession player who can be dependable at both ends of the ice. This would provide Mike Babcock with a viable option to his toolkit as it has been severely lacking all season long.

Recent reports show that the Kings want a 1st-round pick and a prospect in return for Muzzin. While the Leafs do have prospects that could entice L.A., I think Connor Brown should be going the other way in a potential deal along with a 2nd round pick. Out of all the Leafs forwards on their active roster, Brown is the most replaceable of them all given his limited tool kit and Marlies such as Trevor Moore slowly catching up to him on the depth chart.

The Kings may want to stockpile their farm system (The Ontario Reign, their farm team, is dead last in the AHL), but they also need more offence on their NHL team. In short, Muzzin is at the top of my trade wish list and a package of Brown and a 2nd might be enough to make a deal happen.

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