LOS ANGELES, CA — The first domino dropped into the laps of the Los Angeles Kings Monday afternoon with the trade of Jake Muzzin to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Though the trade whispers had turned to shouts over the past few weeks, the cold reality of the business hit when General Manager Rob Blake accepted a package that included a must-have first-round pick as part of a package in exchange for Muzzin.

Set aside the fact that Muzzin is in the midst of arguably his finest season in Los Angeles (and clearly the best performance this season by a Kings defenseman) and the exodus of players commenced when Tanner Pearson was dealt to Pittsburgh, this deal struck at the dressing room’s core.

Muzzin was one of the championship old guard, a battle tested veteran, who couldn’t make it as Pittsburgh draftee and forged a solid career in Los Angeles.

As fate would have it, a group of Kings ventured off to Maui during the extended bye week and the Muzzin family was included; little did they know it would be the last time they would be in that setting as teammates.

As word spread about the deal, teammates stopped by the house and you could rest assured that some tears flowed. Well-liked and respected in the locker room, Jake will add both a big shot from the blueline and championship experience to what Toronto hopes is an extended playoff run. His 20-minute per night presence on the backend will take time to replace – there is no incumbent ready to step into that role – but when you’re seeking to becoming younger and faster and yes, better, it was a move that had to occur.