Jake Muzzin, once ranked as the top defensive prospect in the Kings organization by MayorsManor, is getting a huge pay increase starting next season. In the summer of 2013, the Woodstock, Ontario native signed a two-year contract that pays him $1,000,000 per year through the end of this season.
Earlier today, it was announced GM Dean Lombardi has inked him to a five-year extension that will begin with the 2015-16 season. In year one, Muzzin is set to earn a base salary of $3,000,000. That number increases to $4,000,000 in year two (2016-17), then $4,100,000 in year three (2017-18), $4,450,000 in year four (2018-19), and $4,450,000 for the final year of the contract (2019-20).
Back in the 2010 OHL Coach’s Poll, he was chosen as the player with the hardest shot, named the best defensive-defenseman, the second-best offensive-defenseman, and tied as the conference’s best body-checker. You may also recall, it was Drew Doughty openly lobbying for young Jake to be his partner during training camp in September 2013 – coming at a time where he only had half-a-season of NHL experience. Then, just this past weekend, Jim Fox was praising Muzzin’s development as perhaps the key to their 2014 Stanley Cup.
Overall, not too shabby for a guy who was originally drafted in the fifth round by Pittsburgh. The Penguins didn’t sign him following back surgery, and he eventually chose the Kings among a handful of offers he had, as a free agent coming out of the OHL with the legendary Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.
Kopitar Out, Can Watch His Son Against Arizona
Per recent tradition, it will be the Kings and Coyotes in a pair of split-squad games to open up preseason on Tuesday night. LA captain Anze Kopitar will not suit up, but he will get a chance to watch his son … [Read More...]