The Los Angeles Kings, a well-run team with a track record of recent success, made another smart move on Wednesday which should help that success continue, signing defenceman Jake Muzzin to a five-year contract extension.
That’s a very good deal for a legitimate difference-maker, but it’s especially good because most of the years on that contract are ones where Muzzin could have gone on the open market as an unrestricted free agent:
Nobody denies that Muzzin is a good hockey player. The 25-year-old is a complete defenceman with a nice collection of tools. He has pro size (6’3”, 214 pounds) and plays a physical game in the defensive zone. He can take and make a pass. He has a heavy shot. He’s a good skater. About the only problem with his game coming up the ranks was a perception that he would try to do too much and get caught running around, a difficulty that has ironed itself out with time and experience.
For a good player, a legitimate second-pairing defenceman, the contract Muzzin just signed is pretty reasonable but isn’t a steal. The question is whether Muz ...
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Article written by Jonathan Willis
Los Angeles Kings Getting a Big Bargain with Jake Muzzin’s 5-Year Extension
October 15th, 2014 by Jonathan Willis Leave a reply »
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