Friedman: Nikita Zaitsev has requested a trade from Toronto

[Leaf Fans]

All depends on what is done this summer. Options are there but you need to get Marner signed, convince Marleau and the team of his choice to take him, and also try to find RD.

I think the biggest stumbling blocks are Marner and Marleau. Once you have Marner signed (who knows what the AAV will be) and Marleau traded to a team of his choice (Coyotes might be a good fit), that opens things up. If Marleau wants to stay, that creates a bigger problem in terms of who needs to be unloaded.

Zaitsev is under contract. If they can't move him, he has to play and he is a RD that the Leafs need. Problem is playing him in the top 4 when he is bottom pairing quality. At best he is a fringe top 4D quality but overpaid

I agree with you on the first two points, but Zaitsev is a good defenceman and Dubas has stated that the leafs are interested in him staying. I hope he does too. He plays 20 + minutes and is on the ice in critical situations on d. To me it is a plus that he is on contract. He feels he is a more versatile player than the role he has in Toronto.

 

[Antropovsky]

The point is Zaitsev wants out now. This is not debatable. And it is right on topic. I pointed out possible reasons. Marner is now threatening to see other NHL teams on June 26 also. You may be in denial, but this amount of chaos didn't happen a year ago. What has changed?

What happened? The playing field changed. Young players want to be paid now, and not when they are 27.

Why hasn’t all the other big rfa’s signed as of yet?

 

[TheDoldrums]

The point is Zaitsev wants out now. This is not debatable. And it is right on topic. I pointed out possible reasons. Marner is now threatening to see other NHL teams on June 26 also. You may be in denial, but this amount of chaos didn't happen a year ago. What has changed?

Zaitsev can't handle the media in Toronto. That is the reason. In his first season the team had no expectations and he was putting up points on the PP. Now the team is expected to contend and will get criticized when they fall short. Zaitsev, frequently looking like a disaster with the puck and on a big contract is a natural target for criticism. That's what has changed.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I agree with you on the first two points, but Zaitsev is a good defenceman and Dubas has stated that the leafs are interested in him staying. I hope he does too. He plays 20 + minutes and is on the ice in critical situations on d. To me it is a plus that he is on contract. He feels he is a more versatile player than the role he has in Toronto.

I'm not a fan of Zaitsev due to what you get for what you pay for but that is not my concern. It's up to the Leafs to decide if he is part of the solution or the problem. That is your prerogative. But if you want to move him, it will be hard to get the value you have on him.

Honestly, I just don't see the Leafs trading their only RD at the moment.

 

[4thline]

Pysyk for Zaitsev + 3rd.

Reasonable

 

[Seatoo]

Beagle and Schaller for Zaitsev

 

[axlrose87]

I don't need the media to realize what is going on with the Leafs this summer.

Whats going on is the Leafs continue to build an incredible roster.
What you are hoping is that it all falls apart.
I am confident that their management team knows what they are doing.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Zaitsev can't handle the media in Toronto. That is the reason. In his first season the team had no expectations and he was putting up points on the PP. Now the team is expected to contend and will get criticized when they fall short. Zaitsev, frequently looking like a disaster with the puck and on a big contract is a natural target for criticism. That's what has changed.

Is this just your opinion, or do you have a quote from a reputable source that will back this up? If so, I would like to see it.

 

[Leaf Fans]

I'm not a fan of Zaitsev due to what you get for what you pay for but that is not my concern. It's up to the Leafs to decide if he is part of the solution or the problem. That is your prerogative. But if you want to move him, it will be hard to get the value you have on him.

Honestly, I just don't see the Leafs trading their only RD at the moment.

The Leafs have agreed to help him find a team, but my preference is to keep him. RHD, 20min + player closes down and has offence.

 

[Brunomics]

I think the Leafs will have a tough time moving him. If he's not good enough to play D for the leafs why would any other team want him?

 

[4thline]

I think the Leafs will have a tough time moving him. If he's not good enough to play D for the leafs why would any other team want him?

He requested a trade, the Leafs are more than fine with keeping him but are looking to accommodate

 

[TS Quint]

I am just going to throw this in here...the only reason Z has been made available is because he requested a trade. But....when asked, Dubas stated that while the will try to honor that, Zaitsev may remain a Leaf as he actually has a role here.

Long and short of it? Leafs aren't about to get bent over just to make a trade...if a deal comes that works? Sure....but they aren't paying a massive price just to move him.

Now i know the responses will be "they will if they want to move him!!", but right now, he's their ONLY NHLRHD. Why would they pay a big price to move someone when that's already your biggest need?

The Leafs can’t keep everyone. Moving Marleau, to quote another poster is a “wet dream”. You can’t be still believing the simpleton who said “everyone will fit” because he’s about to take another crap kicking in contract negotiations from Marner. So what’s the plan? Give away AJ/Kappenen and trade Nylander? Moving the vastly overpaid Z is one of the best moves they can make. If you are telling me Dubas hasnt been praying for a sucker to take Z he’s dumber than I thought.

 

[Liferleafer]

Doesn't exactly point to one big happy family. The Marner stuff is a bit of a red flag too but I'll put that one down to his agent.

Oh i won't dispute a coaching issue, i think a few players have an issue with that dinosaur.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

You are dead wrong.

The Zaitsev reasoning could very well be a coaching issue, i think there is more than 1 player that has issues with the coach...by the way, who's the GM that hired Babcock....i can't seem to remember...

Doesn't sound like Zaitsev has a problem with Babcock does it? It sounds like he likes and respects him as a Coach and person. I would say your narrative is wrong.
Nikita Zaitsev gives a thoughtful Russian interview:

May 19. 2019

He has a lot to say about Mike Babcock, someone he clearly does pay attention to, but this stood out to me:

NZ: He [Babcock] always knows what’s going on with you. He’s always showing that we aren’t just hockey players, but people that he cares about. He can advise you a good restaurant, and he is always interested in knowing what places you visited. He is always asking if everything is good and if he can help you, but at the same time, he tries not to exaggerate.

AS: In what sense?
NZ: At first I wanted to know everything about the game in the NHL. I asked my coaches to tell me even the littlest detail of our gameplan. But Mike prohibited me from doing so. He told me: “I perfectly know the way you see the ice, the way you think. If you need to fix something up, I’ll tell you, and don’t worry about the rest.”
​

Or, “Just play,” as Babcock likes to say.

There was more to that Zaitsev interview than a dunk on Don Cherry

 

[Leaf Fans]

The point is Zaitsev wants out now. This is not debatable. And it is right on topic. I pointed out possible reasons. Marner is now threatening to see other NHL teams on June 26 also. You may be in denial, but this amount of chaos didn't happen a year ago. What has changed?

Actually, you gave the room and gloom reasons. In fact, he is working with the Leafs, to find a new team and that his reasons are according to Dubas " personal and private". It is possible that he doe not like Dubas, but as far as I know he hasn't spoken to the media. Dubai's has also made it clear that the door is not closed on him staying on Toronto.

 

[Liferleafer]

The Leafs can’t keep everyone. Moving Marleau, to quote another poster is a “wet dream”. You can’t be still believing the simpleton who said “everyone will fit” because he’s about to take another crap kicking in contract negotiations from Marner. So what’s the plan? Give away AJ/Kappenen and trade Nylander? Moving the vastly overpaid Z is one of the best moves they can make. If you are telling me Dubas hasnt been praying for a sucker to take Z he’s dumber than I thought.

I partially agree...but my point was Dubas isn't going to get bent over just to make a trade. Zaitsev is literally the only NHL level RHD we have at the moment....so even if we move him, we need to replace him (as well as 2 others).

 

[TS Quint]

KHL is implementing a salary cap, less than 14 million US for each team (I don't think the threat of players going to Russia for millions is much of a threat anymore) Season 2018-19: 25 clubs, a lower salary cap, and an ASW in Tatarstan

The KHL has a cap loophole where players stolen from the NHL don’t count against the cap. They still don’t have the money to make it worthwhile for Z but the cap, that the top teams don’t follow anyway, isn’t the impediment.

 

[Leaf Fans]

Doesn't sound like Zaitsev has a problem with Babcock does it? It sounds like he likes and respects him as a Coach and person. I would say your narrative is wrong.
Nikita Zaitsev gives a thoughtful Russian interview:

May 19. 2019

He has a lot to say about Mike Babcock, someone he clearly does pay attention to, but this stood out to me:

​

There was more to that Zaitsev interview than a dunk on Don Cherry

Yes, he does have a good relationship with Babcock and the article is from May 9th 2017

 

[TheDoldrums]

Is this just your opinion, or do you have a quote from a reputable source that will back this up? If so, I would like to see it.

Zaitsev had an interview in Russia a few days ago. The translation probably isn't great but he talks about feeling like an outcast after making mistakes. And said:

“Everyone said that the defense of Toronto was shit,” he said to “Everybody wanted Mazzin. But he began to smear the next day. You just need to understand that this is Toronto. You will be defrauded anyway, because you are a defender.”

He always had the reputation of being somewhat of a sensitive guy, I think a big part of him wanting out is to go to a quieter market. Not everyone can handle Toronto.

 

[Brett44]

you really think colorado is going to take on 19 million in cap on one deal?

Yes because secondary scoring will be ok with this trade.no FA , no others trade. I hate FA always overpaid a players.And for Toronto ,they can sign Marner. All cap salary problem are behind.

 

[bleedgreen]

I'm not a fan of Zaitsev due to what you get for what you pay for but that is not my concern. It's up to the Leafs to decide if he is part of the solution or the problem. That is your prerogative. But if you want to move him, it will be hard to get the value you have on him.

Honestly, I just don't see the Leafs trading their only RD at the moment.

And the vast majority of us can’t see our teams trading for him under any circumstance. Time to kiss and make up.

 

[TS Quint]

I partially agree...but my point was Dubas isn't going to get bent over just to make a trade. Zaitsev is literally the only NHL level RHD we have at the moment....so even if we move him, we need to replace him (as well as 2 others).

You can replace Z’s talent for much cheaper. That’s the easy part. That’s why it will cost to move him.

Dubas is reminding me more and more of the son of Scotty Bowman. Both had talented teams built for them, walked in on top, signing awful contracts and now Dubas isn’t going to have a choice but do the same as the son of Scotty and give away prospects/picks to make Cap space. At least the son of Scotty got the Cups.

 

[Liferleafer]

Doesn't sound like Zaitsev has a problem with Babcock does it? It sounds like he likes and respects him as a Coach and person. I would say your narrative is wrong.
Nikita Zaitsev gives a thoughtful Russian interview:

May 19. 2019

He has a lot to say about Mike Babcock, someone he clearly does pay attention to, but this stood out to me:

​

There was more to that Zaitsev interview than a dunk on Don Cherry

My narrative? I don't have one...i was just saying i think Babcock is a dinosaur and players may have an issue with that.

Nobody has any idea what personal issues Z could have...he's signed to term, so it isn't a contract issue. Could it be the pressure of playing in the fishbowl that is Toronto? Could be. Point is, nobody knows why.

 

[sparxx87]

Doesn't sound like Zaitsev has a problem with Babcock does it? It sounds like he likes and respects him as a Coach and person. I would say your narrative is wrong.
Nikita Zaitsev gives a thoughtful Russian interview:

May 19. 2019

He has a lot to say about Mike Babcock, someone he clearly does pay attention to, but this stood out to me:

​

There was more to that Zaitsev interview than a dunk on Don Cherry

Babcock is not the problem. Someone gave Robin the keys to the Batmobile and it appears he’s losing control.

Zaitsev is sick of the abuse from novice hockey heads who think advanced stats matter. If these idiots knew the game and the system the Leafs play, they’d see he does a very good job most nights. This is both fans and media.

A lot of people should feel a lot of shame for this.



And before you go and pump Lamorello, remember he created this problem by overpaying a d man for the situation he’s in rather than the player he is.

 

[cgf]

Kapanen + Zaitsev for EJ with a little retention (up to 1M) on Zaitsev?

 

[Liferleafer]

Kapanen + Zaitsev for EJ with a little retention (up to 1M) on Zaitsev?

We're retaining 1 million on Z's 4.5 only to pay EJ 6? Then we add Kapanen?

Pass.