Anybody know anything about this Brandon Hagel kid playing in the WHL? I guess he was drafted originally by Buffalo, but he never signed with them. The Hawks signed him to a 3 year ELC last fall. I noticed he has 74 points in 45 games this season. Looks like he will play in Rockford next year.
- boilermaker100

He is an overager, so have to take the numbers with a barge of salt. However, he was drafted so someone saw something. Maybe the change in GMs for the Sabres let him fall through the cracks. Though, the numbers are impressive.

Toronto Maple Leafs
@MapleLeafs

.@SportChek Player Alert: The @MapleLeafs have acquired defenceman Jake Muzzin from Los Angeles in exchange for forward Carl Grundstrom, the rights to Sean Durzi and Toronto’s first-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.

#LeafsForever

Whelp, does this put an end to the Keith to TO dreams?

Toronto Maple Leafs
@MapleLeafs

.@SportChek Player Alert: The @MapleLeafs have acquired defenceman Jake Muzzin from Los Angeles in exchange for forward Carl Grundstrom, the rights to Sean Durzi and Toronto’s first-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.

#LeafsForever

Whelp, does this put an end to the Keith to TO dreams?
- pdx2ord

No there’s at least one who will not let it go

Toronto Maple Leafs
@MapleLeafs

.@SportChek Player Alert: The @MapleLeafs have acquired defenceman Jake Muzzin from Los Angeles in exchange for forward Carl Grundstrom, the rights to Sean Durzi and Toronto’s first-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.

#LeafsForever

Whelp, does this put an end to the Keith to TO dreams?
- pdx2ord

Maybe LA did not want to trade Muzzin to Chicago - so they used Toronto as the 3rd team?

No there’s at least one who will not let it go
- Abadseed

All things that Mitchell excels at doing. Just have to hope it translate to the NHL level. Like with every prospect.
- Elbows15

That is correct: Mitchell has stood out as the best rearguard prospect who can manage his gaps and add to his strong positioning, skating, and instincts to be a solid two-way defender. Beaudin needs to manage his gaps better in comparison; still passive in that regard.

Maybe LA did not want to trade Muzzin to Chicago - so they used Toronto as the 3rd team?
- powerenforcer

No, that's not it.

Maybe LA did not want to trade Muzzin to Chicago - so they used Toronto as the 3rd team?
- powerenforcer

Why would the Hawks want a 29 year old defenseman that is nothing more than a #3 or #4,? We got plenty of those. We also aren't going to give up our #1 pick this year.

That is correct: Mitchell has stood out as the best rearguard prospect who can manage his gaps and add to his strong positioning, skating, and instincts to be a solid two-way defender. Beaudin needs to manage his gaps better in comparison; still passive in that regard.
- AEL_Fox

Hmm. One of the attributes that I saw in scouting reports on Beaudin was that his gap control was one of his main strengths.

TBH, I haven't seen any of his games this season. But in his brief taste with the Hawks during the pre-season, I thought he did well in that area.

Why would the Hawks want a 29 year old defenseman that is nothing more than a #3 or #4,? We got plenty of those. We also aren't going to give up our #1 pick this year.
- LAHawk

Pretty sure Bettman has a hand in it.

Toronto Maple Leafs
@MapleLeafs

.@SportChek Player Alert: The @MapleLeafs have acquired defenceman Jake Muzzin from Los Angeles in exchange for forward Carl Grundstrom, the rights to Sean Durzi and Toronto’s first-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.

#LeafsForever

Whelp, does this put an end to the Keith to TO dreams?
- pdx2ord

Muzzlin is solid. Leafs needed that type of blueline addition. $4mil this season and next.

Hmm. One of the attributes that I saw in scouting reports on Beaudin was that his gap control was one of his main strengths.

TBH, I haven't seen any of his games this season. But in his brief taste with the Hawks during the pre-season, I thought he did well in that area.
- Elbows15

He has gotten better at his gap management compared to last year but Beaudin could take it to another level. Mitchell is better in comparison but that's not an indictment on Beaudin being horrible at it especially compared to other prospects and young d-men. In other words, Beaudin is better than most but Mitchell is tops. Sorry, should have chose my words more accurately.

Muzzlin is solid. Leafs needed that type of blueline addition. $4mil this season and next.
- EnzoD

That is a great pick up for them.

Muzzlin is solid. Leafs needed that type of blueline addition. $4mil this season and next.
- EnzoD

Perfect for the Leafs. Depth defenseman, will play behind Reilly and Gardner. Next year could still be on the third pair if Dermitt takes the next step. $1.1 million less than Gardner makes this year.

Muzzlin is solid. Leafs needed that type of blueline addition. $4mil this season and next.
- EnzoD

So much for the talk of them targeting a right hand defenseman.

So much for the talk of them targeting a right hand defenseman.
- scott.jackson

I think it was the only "cheap" option out there. Leafs paid a pretty steep price for a player that will only be with them for one more season.

Just imagine how much Hamilton would cost...

Excellent add for the Leafs

Perfect for the Leafs. Depth defenseman, will play behind Reilly and Gardner. Next year could still be on the third pair if Dermitt takes the next step. $1.1 million less than Gardner makes this year.
- LAHawk

I still don’t see Toronto getting out of the East. I think it’s finally the year Tampa raises the Cup.

I still don’t see Toronto getting out of the East. I think it’s finally the year Tampa raises the Cup.
- EnzoD

I agree.

This move may open up the trade business full bore this week.

He has gotten better at his gap management compared to last year but Beaudin could take it to another level. Mitchell is better in comparison but that's not an indictment on Beaudin being horrible at it especially compared to other prospects and young d-men. In other words, Beaudin is better than most but Mitchell is tops. Sorry, should have chose my words more accurately.
- AEL_Fox

Ah. got ya.

I think it was the only "cheap" option out there. Leafs paid a pretty steep price for a player that will only be with them for one more season.

Just imagine how much Hamilton would cost...
- RedRevenge

Don't think the price was steep at all.

Perfect for the Leafs. Depth defenseman, will play behind Reilly and Gardner. Next year could still be on the third pair if Dermitt takes the next step. $1.1 million less than Gardner makes this year.
- LAHawk

I think they will pair him with Reilly. Take some of the minutes from Hainsey which will allow him to be more effective.

Toronto Maple Leafs
@MapleLeafs

.@SportChek Player Alert: The @MapleLeafs have acquired defenceman Jake Muzzin from Los Angeles in exchange for forward Carl Grundstrom, the rights to Sean Durzi and Toronto’s first-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.

#LeafsForever

Whelp, does this put an end to the Keith to TO dreams?
- pdx2ord

Another Bowman fail.

Toronto stills needs another d man and backup goalie. Maybe ward to Toronto pick or prospect.

Toronto stills needs another d man and backup goalie. Maybe ward to Toronto pick or prospect.
- Scott1977

I wonder if Toronto would be willing to part with a conditional 7th or future considerations?