#9. Toronto trades Carl Grundstrom, Sean Durzi and 2019 1st round pick to Los Angeles Kings for Jake Muzzin (January 28, 2019)
Thoughts: Finally, a trade worth talking about!
This deal may have felt rich at the time, but it was worth it to land Jake Muzzin. After signing a four-year extension a few weeks ago, Muzzin has turned into a top-pairing defenseman and is one of the bright spots on the back-end.
There was a lot of potential with Sean Durzi, but Muzzin is clearly the best player in this trade, so Dubas deserves a lot of credit for this.
Grade: A+
#10. Toronto trades future considerations to Nashville for Nick Baptiste (February 24, 2019)
Thoughts: Nick Baptiste was a fine player when he arrived for the Toronto Marlies, so giving up nothing for him is a good trade. With nothing going the other way yet, there isn’t too much else to say. Onto the next trade!
Grade: C
#11. Toronto trades Par Lindholm to Winnipeg Jets for Nic Petan (February 25, 2019)
Thoughts: Par Lindholm has shown that he can be a reliable forth line centre in the NHL, whereas Nic Petan has been either healthy scratched or playing with the Marlies.
Lindholm’s $850K contract, fourth line and penalty-kill minutes would be useful with the Leafs right now, so unfortunately this trade hasn’t worked out.
Grade: F
#12. Toronto trades Fedor Gordeev to Minnesota Wild for 2020 7th round pick (May 30, 2019)
Thoughts: Toronto did not want to sign Gordeev to an entry level contract, so they decided to trade him away to Minnesota for essentially nothing.
At 6’7, 225 pounds, I thought that having him in your system to experiment with and develop would be worth it, but the Leafs didn’t see it that way. Hopefully that 7th round pick turns into someone like Andreas Johnsson.
Grade: D+