Los Angeles Kings Sign Jake Muzzin to A Five-Year Extension
Jun 4, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing Justin Williams (14) celebrates with defenseman Jake Muzzin (6) and left wing Tanner Pearson (70) after scoring the game-winning goal against the New York Rangers during overtime in game one of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center. The Kings beat the Rangers 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi announced today, that the Kings have resigned defensemen Jake Muzzin to a five-year contract extension.
The deal is worth $20 million, and ensures Muzzin will be a King until the 2019-2020 season. Muzzin’s cap his is spread evenly over the five years, so his cap hit to the Kings will be a consistent $4 million each season, starting next year. For the rest of this season, Muzzin will earn and remain a cap hit of $1 million.
The 6’3, 214 pound Muzzin is currently 25-years-old. The next time his contract expires he will be 31.
Muzzin was originally drafted in the 5th round, 141st overall, of the 2007 NHL Entry draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, Pittsburgh never signed the young defensemen. Muzzin re-entered the 2009 draft, only to go undrafted. In his final season in the Ontario Hockey League with the Sault Ste. Marie Grayhounds Muzzin put up 15 goals and 67 points in 64 games; collecting the Max Kaminsky Trophy for the most outstanding defensemen in the OHL.
After that season, in January 2010 the Kings signed Muzzin to a three-year entry-level contract. Muzzin made the Kings roster in his first training camp, for the 2010-2011 season. After 11 games Muzzin was sent down to the Kings American Hockey League affiliate the Manchester Monarchs to develop his game.
Jun 13, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin (6)hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating the New York Rangers in the second overtime period in game five of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Now Muzzin’s fully developed.
In his first full season with the Kings, Muzzin registered 7 goals and 16 points in 45 games. Muzzin gained more experience playing 17 games in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Kings lost to the Blackhawks in the Western Conference Final that year. It proved to be a learning experience for Muzzin.
In 2013-2014 Muzzin scored 5 goals and 24 points in 76 regular season games. During the 2014 playoffs Muzzin lead all defensemen with 6 goals; adding 6 assists for 12 points in 26 playoff games. Oh, he also got to lift the Holy Grail of Hockey, and a Stanley Cup ring too.
Now Muzzin’s place is alongside superstar Drew Doughty on the Kings top defensive pairing. Unfortunately Muzzin has yet to suit up for the Kings in the regular season this year, due to an unspecified upper-body injury.
Still, a deal like this will have Los Angeles based rapper Mann re-working his lyrics, “Man I feel like money . . . I got the world Muzzin, Muzzin.” This one’s for our boy Jake.
It’s a good move by GM Lombardi to wrap up Muzzin and get his negotiations out of the way. The Kings will still have a daunting list of upcoming free agents looming ahead of them. A number of quality players will be looking for paydays after developing into budding stars with the Kings. Hopefully this year isn’t the end of the Kings fully loaded, locked, stocked and twenty-smoking barrels, roster.
The following roster players contracts will expire at the end of the season:
Unrestricted Free Agents:
– Justin Williams (Current cap-hit of $3.65 million)
– Jarret Stoll (Current cap-hit of $3.25 million)
– Robyn Regehr (Current cap-hit of $3 million)
– Alec Martinez (Current cap-hit of $1.1 million)
Restricted Free Agents:
– Kyle Clifford (Current cap-hit of $1.075 million)
– Tanner Pearson (Current cap-hit of $735,833)
– Tyler Toffoli (Current cap-hit of $716,667)
– Jordan Nolan (Current cap-hit of $700,000)
– Andy Andreoff (Current cap-hit of $550,000)
– Martin Jones (Current cap-hit of $550,000)
This list does not include Kings prospects. Cap numbers courtesy of capgeek.com.