Toronto Maple Leafs acquire Jake Muzzin from the Los Angeles Kings

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a big splash nearly a month out from the trade deadline, acquiring defenseman Jake Muzzin from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Carl Grundstrom, Sean Durzi, and their first-round draft selection in 2019.

In Muzzin, the Leafs have added a 29-year-old, 6’3, 213-pound left-shot defenseman who has played a significant amount of tough minutes on the right side of the Kings blue line. He’s also been typically good for about 40-45 points a season and rarely misses games.

Pushing Ron Hainsey down the pecking order was clearly a necessary move and this gives the Leafs the legitimate top pairing they’ve been searching for that can match up against some of the…