Ouch. I'm afraid I disagree. I think you're selling him a little short. I can understand the perspective of going with cheaper options at LD ie Dermott (who will cost what next year?) and Sandin to shift the money right. It is because I think so highly of Muzzin and consider him our 2nd best D I feel so strongly about keeping him. Like I said, Ontario boy, Cup ring, physical, defensively able, decent size. He checks a lot of boxes.
I'm not sold on Barrie. He's good but not great defensively, notice a theme? What is our biggest problem? Goals against. Bringing those down is where our money should go, not offense. Muzzin is looking like 5mil, maybe a bit more. Barrie is looking like 8? 7? I'm not seeing us paying that for him. We're too tight against the Cap.
I respect your opinion but I don't think you get how important Muzzin is to our team.