Justin Lowe: The LA Kings Do the Blackhawks a Solid… Hopefully
The LA Kings traded Jake Muzzin this week to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 1st rounder, Carl Grundstrom and Sean Durzi.

There you go Stan, LA's GM Rob Blake just did you a massive solid. By trading arguably his best defenceman this season to a potential Stanley Cup contender in the Toronto Maple Leafs, Blake has tossed in the towel (officially) and has admitted that the "rebuild" is on.

What, this isn't a playoff team

Common 1.9% odds are pretty good

What, this isn't a playoff team
- BetweenTheDots

Shhhhhhhhh. Don't say that.

Shhhhhhhhh. Don't say that.
- Justin Lowe

That was a nice move by Toronto. Still think they need one more top 4 dman

Although that is $4 mill less they have to work with to sign Marner and Matthews

Seriously - does Ronald say that Big Macs aren't health food?

I mean look, you got the marketing guy in charge - they even made a bobblehead of the anthem singer -- do you honestly believe that saying anything other than what they said would be any good for business (in their mind?).

It really is like the line from Slapshot where the announcer guy with the bad toupe is telling the tv audience that they are out there giving it their all...

I'm not really clear what you are expecting to happen here.

The difference (right or wrong) is the Hawks seem to be trying to go with the faster retool while the Kings are going to pull a full rebuild.

I’m not going to say Bowman is the guy for that job. We’ll see, I guess. But I think the Hawks are making the right decision. IF.. (IF) it’s done right, the Hawks can still win before Toews/Kane exit their prime.

It’s going to be an interesting 6 months.

Damn. The Kings now a step ahead of us in the Hughes sweepstakes!!!

To EDM: Patrick Kane
To CHI: 2019 1st, 2020 1st, 2020 2nd(no protection for either pick), and any/all of EDM's random prospects

Let's not forget our draft choices, like last year's, will be higher in each round and should net better players. Also, they're more valuable in trade. I would not rule out including a draft choice in a trade package that returns anything the NHL team desperately needs. The caveat there is we need to get the other team's draft choice in the same round as the one we sent out.

I do not see any trade out of significant cap hit not also bringing back some salary.

This idea was originally floated by Justin a few blogs ago and has been discussed in length here before, but I still like it.

Hawks could take on an expiring contract, or a contract with a year left from a team that will need cap space. Hawks also get a top young prospect from that team in return for a lesser prospect or two or lower draft choices.

The veteran contract would be a hindrance next year, but a top prospect will look good for several years.

Over the next 3 weeks Winnipeg, Tampa, Nashville, Vegas, Boston, Calgary, Pittsburgh and maybe a couple of others will be out looking to patch a hole or add depth to their lineup. I expect overpayments to be common. Hawks should be able to unload some unwanted baggage or capitalize on having so many defenceman in their stable.

Murphy, Saad, Keith, Ward, AA and who knows else might become very attractive as we get closer to midnight.

That was a nice move by Toronto. Still think they need one more top 4 dman

Although that is $4 mill less they have to work with to sign Marner and Matthews
- BetweenTheDots

In a way it saves them money, its replacing Gardiner with a better D who will make less than Gardiner will get in FA

Over the next 3 weeks Winnipeg, Tampa, Nashville, Vegas, Boston, Calgary, Pittsburgh and maybe a couple of others will be out looking to patch a hole or add depth to their lineup. I expect overpayments to be common. Hawks should be able to unload some unwanted baggage or capitalize on having so many defenceman in their stable.

Murphy, Saad, Keith, Ward, AA and who knows else might become very attractive as we get closer to midnight.
- RickJ

And we all know whoever gets a Hawks dman will win the SC, and we'll get to hear how that player never got a chance to succeed here.

And we all know whoever gets a Hawks dman will win the SC, and we'll get to hear how that player never got a chance to succeed here.
- BetweenTheDots

Yes that's correct

In a way it saves them money, its replacing Gardiner with a better D who will make less than Gardiner will get in FA
- obie

In a way, i like the move, but i also see a 1st, quality prospect, and fat contract, Marleau, trade in the summer

In a way it saves them money, its replacing Gardiner with a better D who will make less than Gardiner will get in FA
- obie

It was a great move and also gives them 2 years of playoffs with Muzzin. Rob Blake should have held out a little longer for more IMO.

In a way it saves them money, its replacing Gardiner with a better D who will make less than Gardiner will get in FA
- obie

Gardiner will command a large return from some team. I have no idea why an offensive defenseman who has no clue how to play defense is attractive to all teams but those that know that type of defenseman is a liability in the playoffs.

And we all know whoever gets a Hawks dman will win the SC, and we'll get to hear how that player never got a chance to succeed here.
- BetweenTheDots

Speaking of that I see Rutta has played two games for TB's AHL Syracuse club and has 2 goals and 2 assists. He'll probably be called up soon and fulfill your prediction.

As always your articles are stupendous and right on, great read and great job.

In a way it saves them money, its replacing Gardiner with a better D who will make less than Gardiner will get in FA
- obie

I agree it was a good trade for Toronto. They got a much needed defenseman for another season for a couple of so so prospects and a #1 pick. That #1 probably won't help LA for a few years, but they have to start the rebuild somewhere.

It was a great move and also gives them 2 years of playoffs with Muzzin. Rob Blake should have held out a little longer for more IMO.
- RickJ

Especially considering the deadline is still a month away... I would of insisted on Kapanen if I was Blake

Gardiner will command a large return from some team. I have no idea why an offensive defenseman who has no clue how to play defense is attractive to all teams but those that know that type of defenseman is a liability in the playoffs.
- paulr

Exactly... I can see Gardiner signing for close to 7 a year, which is crazy!

It was a great move and also gives them 2 years of playoffs with Muzzin. Rob Blake should have held out a little longer for more IMO.
- RickJ

Im with you on this why didn't Blake hold out longer . I think he could have got a lot more.
Great move by the Leafs.
Makes you realize the Hawks will not be getting much with who ever they are able to unload.

Gardiner will command a large return from some team. I have no idea why an offensive defenseman who has no clue how to play defense is attractive to all teams but those that know that type of defenseman is a liability in the playoffs.
- paulr

If Gardiner doesn't have the game he did against Boston in the playoffs, do we really see a defensive deficiency of that magnitude? I am from the camp that if you focus squarely on one player, you start to nit pick. Look at the Leddy's, Gustafson's etc.

Gardiner is a +17 and on top of that, the Leafs as a team are not the best defensive minded group. Erik Karlsson is a defensive liability and he will be getting a massive payday, I don't see the issue with giving Gardiner 7 mil.

Exactly... I can see Gardiner signing for close to 7 a year, which is crazy!
- obie

Yeah, I think he'll be the next Shattenkirk. Hopefully Stan is smart enough to stay away from him and Myers both.