The Los Angeles Kings have already received a contribution from Carl Grundstrom, and will now get the other big piece from the Jake Muzzin trade to join the organization. Sean Durzi has signed his three-year entry-level contract, but will remain with the Guelph Storm of the OHL as they continue their playoff run.
Durzi, 20, was an over-aged selection when the Toronto Maple Leafs picked him 52nd overall last June, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t on NHL radars before that. The undersized but extremely effective defenseman had attended development camps previous to that but really exploded as a top prospect in 2017-18. With 15 goals and 49 points that season the Maple Leafs couldn’t pass up a chance to grab the smooth skating Durzi, but were forced to give him up less than a year later.
This year has been another excellent campaign for Durzi, who is still playing at the junior level despite being eligible for AHL hockey. He put up 37 points in 35 games during the regular season and was a force in the first round of the OHL playoffs with five more assists. While Guelph continues to try and secure a berth in the Memorial Cup, Kings fans will patiently wait for the arrival of their next solid defense prospect. Durzi has real NHL upside, though will have to spend some time refining his game in the minor leagues.