The Toronto Maple Leafs will begin their post-All-Star break run with an upgrade to their defence.
Former Stanley Cup champion Jake Muzzin was acquired by the Maple Leafs via trade on Monday, sending forward Carl Grundstrom, the rights to unsigned Sean Durzi, and a 2019 first-round selection.
Set to likely partner with Morgan Rielly, Muzzin shores up a blue line that was in search of a boost and could help rally the club after some subpar performances over the past month. Those lacklustre showings have Maple Leafs fans champing at the bit for an upgrade, and they set Twitter ablaze after hearing the news of the club’s latest addition.
Here’s the best of what was on offer.
Dubas ain't Muzzin' around.
— Andrew Mok (@drumok) January 29, 2019
*Jake Muzzin arrives in Toronto* pic.twitter.com/qDPVh1cO15
— birky (@b1rky) January 29, 2019
— Chris Adamo (@adamotweets) January 29, 2019
— Drakoy (@Drakoy75) January 29, 2019
Giving up no current roster players and a pick that’ll probably be 20th or later for a solid defenceman? #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/dYiD2v5V8a
— (@ainsley797) January 29, 2019
EXCLUSIVE: Your first look at Jake Muzzin as a Maple Leaf. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/Icwd5f4SgF
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) January 29, 2019
For Toronto fans who miss Edwin Encarnacion, Muzzin’s got his own version of the Ed-wing celly to bring to the table as well.
Gonna miss the Jake Muzzin celly #LAKings #GoKingsGo #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/tjLnXN2J5j
— Eric (@Kingsgifs) January 29, 2019
Of course, a piece that valuable doesn’t leave a city without leaving some feelings hurt, and there were those who expressed the other side of the equation as well.
Muzzin traded to the Leafs? pic.twitter.com/LAoIzPs14q
— Matt Henderson (@Archaeologuy) January 29, 2019
The other Kings defencemen watching Muzzin go to Toronto… pic.twitter.com/pDptWxmA8x
— Justin Fisher (@thejustinfisher) January 29, 2019
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