Jake Muzzin discussions (continued)

[hamzarocks]

Muzzin is an upgrade on Gardiner defensively. No question. He has helped stabilize Zaitsev.

Jake is really a third pairing guy at even strength.

Gardiner is a good player. He is great in the offensive zone, good at getting shots on net, can give players a chance to tip his shots, really good at passing cross ice, and in the neutral zone he has good reads and can break up breakouts. He also is a good puck transitioner both with his stretch passes and ability to carry the luck out of dangerous areas.


His weaknesses are in front of the net, his bad reads on pinches, he is at best a decent cycle defender, and at times loses battles to players smaller than him. I think he is a great number 3 defender who deserves to be recognized as a great player. He never became a Scott niedermayer/duncan keith type player that some fans/media outlets were envisioning him of becoming. Still behind rielly and muzzin he gives us a strong defensive core.

He will be gone this summer and we can hopefully absorb the loss with dermott takong antoher step and sandin+lilijgren both looking really good in the AHL. Still Gardiner is a player that deserves a tribute when he comes back to play us next season and should be cheered in his first game back this year

 

[hamzarocks]

both Jakes are most appropriately labelled good #2 dmen.

I thinn Gardiner is closer to a good number 3. Dont think he is a top pairing defender. He is pretty similar for me to a guy like Jeff Petry in terms of on ice impact.

 

[zeke]

I thinn Gardiner is closer to a good number 3. Dont think he is a top pairing defender. He is pretty similar for me to a guy like Jeff Petry in terms of on ice impact.

petry is also a good #2, though.

 

[zeke]

Since the trade:

5v5 Score Adjusted

1.Rielly 27gms, 18:51, 1.81p/60, 1.24p1/60, 52.9cf% (+0.8), 53.3scf% (-1.8)
2.Muzzin 27gms, 17:32, 1.47p/60, 0.73p1/60, 53.3cf% (+1.4), 54.5scf% (+0.4)

3.Hainsey 27gms, 17:27, 0.62p/60, 0.12p1/60, 51.5cf% (-1.6), 52.5scf% (-2.9)
4.Zaitsev 27gms, 16:42, 1.03p/60, 0.38p1/60, 50.1cf% (-3.5), 54.4scf% (+0.1)

5.Gardiner 13gms, 16:34, 0.80p/60, 0.53p1/60, 55.0cf% (+4.5), 58.1scf% (+9.0)
6.Dermott 14gms, 15:21, 0.82p/60, 0.55p1/60, 54.7cf% (+4.0), 56.1scf% (+5.2)

7.Marincin 10gms, 13:34, 1.32p/60, 0.88p1/60, 49.7cf% (-1.6), 54.6scf% (+0.1)
8.Ozhiganov 9gms, 13:24, 0.00p/60, 0.00p1/60, 51.5cf% (-2.9), 52.7scf% (-4.4)
9.Holl 8gms, 11:47, 0.63p/60, 0.00p1/60, 53.8cf% (-1.1), 55.2scf% (-4.7)

 

[mulefarm]

Gardiner is better than Muzzin. Muzzin improves the Leafs, but is a step below Gardiner.

 

[Kiwi]

Since the trade:

5v5 Score Adjusted

1.Rielly 27gms, 18:51, 1.81p/60, 1.24p1/60, 52.9cf% (+0.8), 53.3scf% (-1.8)
2.Muzzin 27gms, 17:32, 1.47p/60, 0.73p1/60, 53.3cf% (+1.4), 54.5scf% (+0.4)

3.Hainsey 27gms, 17:27, 0.62p/60, 0.12p1/60, 51.5cf% (-1.6), 52.5scf% (-2.9)
4.Zaitsev 27gms, 16:42, 1.03p/60, 0.38p1/60, 50.1cf% (-3.5), 54.4scf% (+0.1)

5.Gardiner 13gms, 16:34, 0.80p/60, 0.53p1/60, 55.0cf% (+4.5), 58.1scf% (+9.0)
6.Dermott 14gms, 15:21, 0.82p/60, 0.55p1/60, 54.7cf% (+4.0), 56.1scf% (+5.2)

7.Marincin 10gms, 13:34, 1.32p/60, 0.88p1/60, 49.7cf% (-1.6), 54.6scf% (+0.1)
8.Ozhiganov 9gms, 13:24, 0.00p/60, 0.00p1/60, 51.5cf% (-2.9), 52.7scf% (-4.4)
9.Holl 8gms, 11:47, 0.63p/60, 0.00p1/60, 53.8cf% (-1.1), 55.2scf% (-4.7)

Everybody is over 50% in the scf% category, that's not bad
Our goalscoring consistency and goaltending have been the issue lately imo

 

[zeke]

Since the trade:

5v5 Score Adjusted

1.Rielly 27gms, 18:51, 1.81p/60, 1.24p1/60, 52.9cf% (+0.8), 53.3scf% (-1.8)
2.Muzzin 27gms, 17:32, 1.47p/60, 0.73p1/60, 53.3cf% (+1.4), 54.5scf% (+0.4)

3.Hainsey 27gms, 17:27, 0.62p/60, 0.12p1/60, 51.5cf% (-1.6), 52.5scf% (-2.9)
4.Zaitsev 27gms, 16:42, 1.03p/60, 0.38p1/60, 50.1cf% (-3.5), 54.4scf% (+0.1)

5.Gardiner 13gms, 16:34, 0.80p/60, 0.53p1/60, 55.0cf% (+4.5), 58.1scf% (+9.0)
6.Dermott 14gms, 15:21, 0.82p/60, 0.55p1/60, 54.7cf% (+4.0), 56.1scf% (+5.2)

7.Marincin 10gms, 13:34, 1.32p/60, 0.88p1/60, 49.7cf% (-1.6), 54.6scf% (+0.1)
8.Ozhiganov 9gms, 13:24, 0.00p/60, 0.00p1/60, 51.5cf% (-2.9), 52.7scf% (-4.4)
9.Holl 8gms, 11:47, 0.63p/60, 0.00p1/60, 53.8cf% (-1.1), 55.2scf% (-4.7)

Special Teams

1.Rielly 27gms, PP 2:56, 3.04p/60, 3.04p1/60 --- PK 0:59
2.Muzzin 27gms, PP 1:14, 5.46p/60, 3.64p1/60 - PK 1:28

3.Hainsey 27gms, PP 0:04, 0.00p/60, 0.00p1/60 - PK 2:42
4.Zaitsev 27gms, PP 0:04, 0.00p/60, 0.00p1/60 --- PK 2:52

5.Gardiner 13gms, PP 2:08, 4.32p/60, 4.32p1/60 -- PK 0:01
6.Dermott 14gms, PP 0:08, 0.00p/60, 0.00p1/60 --- PK 0:10

7.Marincin 10gms, 0:01, 0.00p/60, 0.00p1/60 ------ PK 1:19
8.Ozhiganov 9gms, 0:00, 0.00p/60, 0.00p1/60 ------ PK 0:00
9.Holl 8gms, 0:04, 0.00p/60, 0.00p1/60 ---------------- PK 0:00

 

[NoName]

Liking how Muzzin is able to unload that booming clapper from the blue-line the Leafs have lacked. It may not be quite as important for a defender in today’s game as it once was, but it is still a useful offensive tool to have on our top-4.

 

[ktownhockey]

Liking how Muzzin is able to unload that booming clapper from the blue-line the Leafs have lacked. It may not be quite as important for a defender in today’s game as it once was, but it is still a useful offensive tool to have on our top-4.

I have been saying this for years. If we can get another bomb from the point it will be great.

 

[Leafsfan74]

There are going to be some guys rise to the occasion in the post season, and all of their contribution are going to be needed to beat a hardened, stubborn team like Boston.

Muzzin is one such player.

 

[Leafsfan74]

Liking how Muzzin is able to unload that booming clapper from the blue-line the Leafs have lacked. It may not be quite as important for a defender in today’s game as it once was, but it is still a useful offensive tool to have on our top-4.

Especially on the power player, the opposition needs to face different looks. Good to see a nice, accurate shot from the point. He doesn't have to be Shea Weber, just quick timing and accurate will work fine for our purposes.

 

[TheProspector]

From Woodstock to Toronto: The remarkable journey of Jake...

Really nice piece on Muzzin. I think he's captain material tbh.

 

[Mess]

FYI

Carl Grundstrom has scored 4 goals in his first 9 NHL games since the trade.

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

FYI

Carl Grundstrom has scored 4 goals in his first 9 NHL games since the trade.

Cool... so its working out for both teams.

 

[CabanaBoy5]

FYI

Carl Grundstrom has scored 4 goals in his first 9 NHL games since the trade.

I’m equally impressed with Muzzins 5 goals in 27 games, as a defence man. Great trade for us.

 

[diceman934]

Gardiner if his back issues get sorted out will show the NHL just how good he is. He is a solid #2 D man. People on here do not appreciate just what he brings to the table. We miss him more then we missed Mathews when he was injured this year. Proof is in our record.

I know Gardiner will not be back, but Muzzin is just a one year replacement at best. Infact it would be prudent to trade him this summer if he has a great playoffs for a couple of young Players one of which needs to be a right shot D man. Resign Haisney for a one year contract at 1.50m. We are two years away before our two top D prospects are playing at a level where they can be considered even for a top 4 assignment. Trading Muzzin can get us two young players. We can then sign another veteran D man to pair with one of our prospects or part of the return for Muzzin. Unless we can extend Muzzin for 5 years at 5.5m per he is gone after next season.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

I'm hoping we can re-sign Muzzin in the offseason.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

We are two years away before our two top D prospects are playing at a level where they can be considered even for a top 4 assignment.

This year and next ? or two more full seasons ?

 

[Trapper]

This year and next ? or two more full seasons ?

Dermott is 22 and this is his first full 82 game season. Unfortunately the injury has also made it not an 82 game season. He still hasn’t played top 4 consistently.

Then Rosen and Borgman haven’t played in the NHL in over a year. Cut the last 2 times.

Sandin and Lily haven’t played at all.

It’s going to take time.
We need to address the top 4 in the off-season so these guys can come in slowly and in case of emergency, we have a stable top.

 

[IPS]

There are going to be some guys rise to the occasion in the post season, and all of their contribution are going to be needed to beat a hardened, stubborn team like Boston.

Muzzin is one such player.

He's our most experienced guy going into this postseason. He's been through the postseason meatgrinder and played a huge role doing so. People say we lack grit and physicality for the postseason, well Muzzin brings that in spades, especially against the tough teams (who he is very well familiar with playing against coming from California).

Can't believe how big of an idiot Dubas was bringing this guy in....

 

[HamiltonNHL]

We need to address the top 4 in the off-season

Realistically that won't happen short of trading Nylander.

 

[Trapper]

Realistically that won't happen short of trading Nylander.

Either way, the money doesn’t work with Marleau for another year.
Kadri/Kapanen/Johnsson will need to be moved.

We need a 1-1.5 million 3C if Nylander is staying with Matthews. Then one of Johnsson/Kapanen might have to go.
Brown for sure and Zaitsev if we can upgrade.

If you can get a solid RHD like Spurgeon or Pesce for Kadri, you can try Dermott with either Rielly or Muzzin.

 

[AreBe]

Muzzin's on the ice- bam, bam, bam, puck in the net!

Leafs Nation's fear of success showed when they rejoiced at the news that a European skill man Carl Grundstrom went the other way

Tape to tape pass to other team, Do we like it? Niet, niet, niet!

Off to hit a player, go at him, but look! The other player is European, passed the puck off the boards, skates like the wind, and bam, bam, bam, 2 on one against the Leafs and Muzzin has no say

as Muzzin off on headhunting prowl leads to missed assignment, and bam, bam, bam, puck is in the net!

 

[43Kadri43]

Muzzin is an upgrade on Gardiner defensively. No question. He has helped stabilize Zaitsev.

Jake is really a third pairing guy at even strength.

This board is hopeless

 

[ninetyone]

I like how Muzzin's played for the most part. He's been caught with some huge mistakes and has had some bad games but I'd cut him some slack coming to a new team, new coach/system, different partner - whatever. He's been better offensively than I expected but you can see he's a smart, solid, physical defenseman who won't cave under pressure and anxiety against Bergeron, Marchand, Pastrnak. I don't care much for whether he's a number 3-4 or whether Gardiner is better/worse because who cares.

If healthy, the six (Rielly, Gardiner, Muzzin, Hainsey, Dermott, Zaitsev) are a pretty solid group, especially if the forwards play to their potential.