Friedman: Nikita Zaitsev has requested a trade from Toronto

[Mickey Marner]

Leafs won’t make a deal where they are paying equal money. Doesn’t make sense. And I guarantee you there’s a Benning type out there who sees middle pair, shut down defenseman with grit written all over Zaitsev

The Sens currently have just 4.44 million committed to their defense for next season, Zaitsev is only owed 1.5 million after July 1st and their head coach was our defense coach. Seems like an obvious fit. There's a cap ceiling and a cap floor. Moving Zaitsev is not going to be difficult when the free agent market for RHS defence consists of Karlsson, Stralman, Myers, Engelland and Polak.

 

[Empoleon8771]

The Sens currently have just 4.44 million committed to their defense for next season, Zaitsev is only owed 1.5 million after July 1st and their head coach was our defense coach. Seems like an obvious fit. There's a cap ceiling and a cap floor. Moving Zaitsev is not going to be difficult when the free agent market for RHS defence consists of Karlsson, Stralman, Myers, Engelland and Polak.

His NTC kicks in after July 1st and I really doubt anyone has Ottawa on a trade list.

 

[DFF]

Zaitsev is probably the most underrated & under-appreciation defenseman in the league by a mile. Cursed with unsustainably bad luck. Any team would be getting a STEAL by offering a first rounder for him. A smart GM will no doubt recognize this.

You are missing this

 

[The Winter Soldier]

You can't blame Zaitsev being in the line up as the reason the Leafs haven't made it out of the playoffs anymore than you can blame Barkov for not make the playoff in those same three years. Teams win and teams lose players like Barkov would be excellent players on another team that makes the playoff and he will be excellent when Florida makes the playoffs. Zaitsev will be a good defenceman on any-team.

No one player wins or loses a playoff series. But it's fair to note, he was -10 in 18 playoff games with the Leafs. Not a positive difference maker. He will be better once he is on the bottom pairing perhaps.

 

[Liferleafer]

lol. like 10% of you. go reread all the threads.

I'm a Leafs fan i i don't read every Leafs thread....kind of surprising that a Sens fan does.

Color us flattered.

 

[Torontonian]

As speculated today.

Leafs may have to retain salart, or add a sweetner like a prospect or pick, or another salary will have to go the other way for a team to take Zaitsev. It seems no one wants him straight up.

I think its more likely that if the leafs do have to sweeten the deal its going to be a pick. I see 0 possibility of the leafs retaining any salary for him for the next 4 years. Every single dollar matters to the leafs now while they are in win now mode.

 

[Mickey Marner]

His NTC kicks in after July 1st and I really doubt anyone has Ottawa on a trade list.

Perhaps. Pittsburgh probably isn't on his 10-team list though and Rutherford covets mediocre defensemen signed to bad contracts.

 

[MikeyMike01]

Yep. He wants out from media and fan nonsense. Well done, guys!

Biggest need: Top 4 RHD
Game plan: Run the only one you have out of town!

The Kessel Special

 

[Empoleon8771]

Perhaps. Pittsburgh probably isn't on his 10-team list though and Rutherford covets mediocre defensemen signed to bad contracts.

To start taking shots at other fans for just pointing out a fact just makes you look pathetic, fyi.

 

[Leaf Fans]

No one player wins or loses a playoff series. But it's fair to note, he was -10 in 18 playoff games with the Leafs. Not a positive difference maker. He will be better once he is on the bottom pairing perhaps.

He will probably be traded, but I don't think the team trading for him will be so stacked on defense that he will play on the bottom paring. Yeah, he plays the toughest minutes so it is good to note.

 

[Taluss]

Welcome to Ott Zaitsev. You will be overpaid and all you will need to do is deal with Melnyk. Nobody cares about your on ice performance. I'd tell you to not worry because you will be moved again soon anyways but unfortunately we only give out top players so... Yeah have fun.

 

[Hunter368]

Guys.....enough with the petty shots back and fourth.......next comes infractions.

 

[AppsSyl]

What do you realistically expect to get back for Zaitsev? Just curious

Leafs clear cap space and get help on right D and really only give up Liljegren.

I just don't see it as bad for the Leafs as some fans think.

How about you guys give us Quinn Hughes to take on Loui Ericksson. See how ridiculous that sounds.

 

[sens13]

I'm a Leafs fan i i don't read every Leafs thread....kind of surprising that a Sens fan does.

Color us flattered.

lol. do you have an issue with me posting? all I made was one comment and your making it into something so big. everyone knows that leaf fans overvalue zatsiev. you don't need to read every thread to know that. also maybe use some common sense. why would I read every leaf's thread? I just read the ones on the main board since I like reading the proposals.

This is a discussion board. I'm allowed to make a comment. you don't like it. ignore it and move on. I make one comment which everyone know's is true and your acting like something major just happened. get a life and get off my case. Maybe focus your attention more on the posters within your own fanbase since the majority of crap on this board get's posted from them.

 

[Yackiberg8]

But everyone is saying that it's widely known that Zaitsev is coming off a bad year and is signed to a big contract. So again, why is another team not sending out money to bring in Zaitsev? Someone may view him as a middle pair shutdown D, but his contract is very significant for a guy who's established to be coming off a down year.

I think Florida would be an example of a team interested in him, but why would they take Zaitsev at full salary when they're trying to sign Panarin and Bobrovsky? I think Edmonton could be interested too, but where are they going to get the money for Zaitsev? I can keep going on like this.

They’ll probably try and trade him to a team who would be able to fit him in. Just a thought.

 

[Lahey]

Lol okay sure, teams will totally take on 5 years at $4.5 million for a reclamation project without sending money back. There are so many examples of bad players with huge contracts being moved without any salary going back.

Honest question: what team is going to take Zaitsev without sending any money back? What team would want to do that for a guy coming off of 2 bad seasons?

You’re clueless when it comes to the leafs and it shows. Why the hell would we make that deal? We need space now go sign Marner & co. What does cap space 2 years from now matter? Idiotic.

 

[Leaf Fans]

Perhaps. Pittsburgh probably isn't on his 10-team list though and Rutherford covets mediocre defensemen signed to bad contracts.

He doesn't have a 10 team list until July.

 

[ManwithNoIdentity]

I was going to say what sweetener will you give to move him but that contract..woof.

 

[axlrose87]

Yep. He wants out from media and fan nonsense. Well done, guys!

Biggest need: Top 4 RHD
Game plan: Run the only one you have out of town!

I think he returns to Russia and the leafs sign the wife beating Russian for much cheaper

 

[Liferleafer]

lol. do you have an issue with me posting? all I made was one comment and your making it into something so big. everyone knows that leaf fans overvalue zatsiev. you don't need to read every thread to know that. also maybe use some common sense. why would I read every leaf's thread? I just read the ones on the main board since I like reading the proposals.

This is a discussion board. I'm allowed to make a comment. you don't like it. ignore it and move on. I make one comment which everyone know's is true and your acting like something major just happened. get a life and get off my case. Maybe focus your attention more on the posters within your own fanbase since the majority of crap on this board get's posted from them.

You offended by my post? Don't be, i love the fact that certain Sens/Habs/Isles fans are in EVERY Leafs thread.....the more the merrier in Leafs Nation....welome aboard!

 

[LeafsLegendAkiBerg]

lol okay then, how many firsts and good prospects is Zaitsev packing in his bag?

4.5 mil for 5 more seasons is a heck of a dump to take on Jim Benning’s lawn.

How about 10 firsts, Marner and Liljegren? That should be enough to take the worst player in NHL history.

 

[ChaoticOrange]

I think its more likely that if the leafs do have to sweeten the deal its going to be a pick. I see 0 possibility of the leafs retaining any salary for him for the next 4 years. Every single dollar matters to the leafs now while they are in win now mode.

Unfortunately, things get harder here on out with both Matthews and Marner having huge extensions kick in next year.

 

[Leaf Fans]

Yep. He wants out from media and fan nonsense. Well done, guys!

Biggest need: Top 4 RHD
Game plan: Run the only one you have out of town!

Maybe, we only know it is for private and personal reasons.

 

[Gilles Meloche]

Voynov for Zaitsev

 

[Empoleon8771]

They’ll probably try and trade him to a team who would be able to fit him in. Just a thought.

I asked for teams who would be able to do that. That means you provide examples of teams that would do that.