JAKE MUZZIN
This season: 11 games, 0 goals, 1 assist, 0 penalty minutes, 13:43 average ice time.
The good: Considered something of a late-bloomer — Muzzin initially was a fifth-round draft pick, then had a serious injury and was signed by the Kings as a free agent — Muzzin impressed last summer, and in training camp, with solid two-way potential. He’s a big defenseman who can move, a player who can create offensive and bring some nastiness as well. Muzzin, for the most part, didn’t look out of place during his early-season run with the Kings.
The bad: Not surprisingly, as Muzzin got into his second month in the NHL, consistency started to be an issue. Muzzin got exposed at times, and in mid-November, rather than making him a regular healthy scratch, the Kings decided Muzzin was better served playing in the AHL, so they sent him down and called up Alec Martinez.
Going forward: Muzzin’s two-way potential, and his steady improvement over the last two seasons, indicates that he will get another long look in training camp this fall. Muzzin has strong two-way potential but still needs to elevate both sides of his game. He has yet to show the offensive ability of Martinez or the prolonged nastiness of a Matt Greene-type player. Muzzin is still young, though, and that potential is there.
Jake Muzzin looks like Tom Dwan.
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My vote is “incomplete”..
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Pesus Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 9:23 am
@Jack,
Thats what I was gonna say
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When I saw Jake Muzzin for the 1st time at rookie camp, then at training camp in September, what stuck out to me was not only is height, but he really used his long stick to deflect pucks and also get in the way of cross ice passes. To me, he was the best young defensemen of the bunch. I think this guy will be a very good player in the NHL very shortly, possibly right here with the Kings. Boy, do we have some quality young defensemen coming through the pipeline! And remember, Muzzin wasnt even drafted by Dean, he was a young player that was unsigned and was courted by several teams and he chose the Kings because in his words “The Kings have a reputation for developing young players” How cool is that ! Great time being a Kings fan currently..AWESOME.
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Ravens Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 9:37 am
@puck73, I remember when Jake said that, I really appreciate this kid, he has taken the hard road, and still remains dedicated to learning and not taking any short cuts. Sounds like a high qualtiy character, big and tough phisycally, uses his head on the ice, and remember he got a very slow start to his career, becuase of big time injuries, but he’s already ahead of guys that had no set backs what so ever, this guy should be on our blue line for the next decade.
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Token Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 9:45 am
@puck73, Good news is the vast pool of D prospects in the system.
The great news for Jake is he’s the only “bruiser type” that’s close to being ready. The other big boys went collegiate.
If he works on his tougness game, the puck moving will be extra gravy on a solid performer.
Kid has good odds of sticking with the Kings if he puts in the work.
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jet Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 10:39 am
@puck73, okay, you get your cigar back. I thought he was the best player at rookie camp. Nic gave him alittle run for hi money.
I thought he did well early. He seemed to have some trouble with the travel. Maybe he is just getting use to trying to get enough sleep.
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Good size and good skater. DL might have found a diamond in the rough that just needs to be polished up a bit in order to shine at the NHL level. We are so stocked with talent in the back end, it borders on insanity. We are set for years to come at the D and G positions!
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The door is wide open for this guy, especially if a certain Dallas forward is sigend on July 1 at 12:01 p.m.
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Penner is coming up shortly. I’m sure the haters are primed and ready with their poison pens, so to speak, and plan to spew their venom freely. That being said, I plan on NOT reading the comments for Penner’s eval because I’m so tired of the hate and everyone who thinks one player is at fault for all the Kings’ misfortunes.
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Dan Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 9:27 am
@Minnesota Kings Fan, I agree completely! There is no “u” in team, everyone deserves a fair share of the fault. Not all on one.
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puck73 Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 9:28 am
@Minnesota Kings Fan, Thats fine, but what does this have to do with Jake Muzzin ?
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Michael J. Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 9:56 am
@puck73,
Exactly.
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DesertKing Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 10:36 am
@Minnesota Kings Fan,
Out of respect for your desire, I will not provide you with my “poison penner” take.
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Dominick Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 11:29 am
@Minnesota Kings Fan,
But debating the good and the bad is what this forum is here for. I have a tendency to be more positive towards the players, some purely negative. Some are fair, some are misguided. That’s what makes this forum so great. I suspect there will be a little negativity on that one.
On a side note: Muzz got a B from me, because he was very close for his first chance at making an impression. I graded him based on wether he was ready to make a stab at the NHL, or not even close. If he doesn’t make it this summer, then 1 maybe 2 years at the most, with regular call ups, but he will be a really good NHL defenseman soon.
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Perfect analysis Rich
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Muzzin had great playoffs for the Monarchs both last season, and this year, though of course losing in Round One was disappointing for all concerned. The kid’s got game, and has been lost in the shuffle with higher profile names like Hickey and Voynov in the mix, but he’s beaten odds before, and my guess is he’ll beat them again. Just may not be in a King uniform
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Where are these A’s coming from? His mom and his girlfriend?
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Predictin for the next Blog thread..
“Canada Dominates a Helpless Team USA”
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VanKingsFan Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 10:10 am
@VanKingsFan, Damn, no one taking the bait…
Great game to watch though, some real emotion shown from both teams. In the end it was clear that Canada had them outclassed in terms of skill.
Anyone else watch?
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Sebastian Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 10:24 am
@VanKingsFan, i wish, stuck at work. at least it went to a shootout.
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VanKingsFan Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 10:31 am
@Sebastian, Well of course, most of us are probably at work … doesn’t mean you cant have a sneaky little live streaming window hidden amongst your work
tornado12 Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 10:17 am
@VanKingsFan, yeah, yeah, yeah…our roster sucks and you only won by 1. thats my excuse and im sticking to it- lol
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Player-X Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 10:29 am
@VanKingsFan, and this is related to Jake Muzzin because…
We get it, Canada is great, and you really need to hear yourself say it.
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VanKingsFan Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 10:37 am
@Player-X,
I just wanted to hear you say it Player X
Maybe Muzzin will play for Team Canada one day… (happy now:P)
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 11:05 am
@VanKingsFan,
I’d like Bernier to play for Canada this year. I’d love to see how he does.
Dominick Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 11:10 am
@VanKingsFan,
Canada’s only chance is to overload their roster with talent, because USA is overloaded on heart.
Jake Muzzin will be a force to be reckoned with in the NHL IMO. He reminds me of Willy Mitchell the way he uses his stick. It’s nice to have defensive depth on our team. I still think DL will move a defensemen & goalie if he finds the right forward this off season.
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Dominick Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 11:41 am
@King Alex, I think Muzzin has a little more projected offensive upside than Mitchell. Mitchell is a shut down guy, and Muzz is a puck mover, known more for being an offensive defenseman.
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King Alex Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
@Dominick, I agree completely. I just like the way he uses his stick defensively. I can’t wait to see him in camp this year.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
May 22nd, 2011 at 11:44 am
@King Alex, This guy is gonna be one of those character players that you don’t see on the morning papers next day. His stats will not impress, but he will add depth to the Kings kinda like Clifford does.
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i think at least Muzzin proved in his limited time up with the Kings that he was not out of place and can step in and play 3rd pairing minutes. to me, that makes Martinez expendable if DL can trade him for a top-6 winger.
getting Muzzin was a great move by DL as he cost them nothing. i think he has a shot to be a 3/4 d-man that can help on the power play.
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I’m going to admit that was so long ago and I don’t remember his play. I didn’t vote because of that but I hope for good things from all of our prospects.
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Definately an excellent prospect. Only reason he didn’t stick with the team is because we already have 3 outstanding stay at home defenseman. There is some real quality here though imho.
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I liked the kid was sorry to see him go back down, but hopefully that makes him stronger for this upcoming season.
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I’d give him a B-. He impressed when he was up with the Kings early. His development has been on a steep incline. I’m optimistic he’ll be a solid NHLer, at the very least.
Idle thought, last I looked former Kings prospect Aaron Rome is playing top 4 defense for an elite Vancouver team.
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wow everyone on this site underated him…u guyys better not of rated drewiske or harold better….
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