Toronto Maple Leafs: What Jake Muzzin should get in his next contract
Jake Muzzin said that he wants to remain with the Toronto Maple Leafs but what would it cost to make that happen?
It goes without saying that the Toronto Maple Leafs‘ future on the blue line doesn’t have a lot of certainty after this season which is why getting Jake Muzzin signed should be a priority for general manager Kyle Dubas.
The veteran who was acquired last season from the Los Angeles Kings has provided the Leafs with a much-needed stabilizing presence. He provides the Leafs with the toughness the team lacks and can produce in other areas.
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What helps Toronto’s case is that he has already made it clear that he would prefer to stay considering how he’s been embraced by the team since arriving.
"“The organization, the way they look after us, the guys here, the buzz in the city about hockey is huge,” Muzzin said recently about his future in Toronto. “Being close to home is always a nice touch, especially with a little one around now. There’s lots of good things here and I’d love to stay.”"
The real question is what it’s going to cost to get the soon to be 31-year-old to stay with the Blue and White? He is coming off a five-year deal which paid him $4 million per season so you can bet that’s where the negotiations will start.
It doesn’t help that there is some urgency to get the defenceman to signed considering how Morgan Rielly, Rasmus Sandin, Martin Marincin and Justin Holl are the only NHL defencemen signed going forward.
Muzzin will probably look to get roughly $5-6 million per season but the term will be tough to figure out considering he is over 30. Maybe the Leafs try to keep it to four years which allows the team to figure out their future plan afterwards.
Dubas has been a big believer in using the time he has available but you can probably expect a Muzzin deal to be done until after the season. The Leafs and Muzzin have probably laid down the groundwork considering it will probably impact how they approach the trade deadline.
dark. Next. Rasmus Sandin showing great poise
Do you think the Leafs Muzzin should sign for next season? What would you pay him in his next deal? Let us know in the comments below.