Friedman: Nikita Zaitsev has requested a trade from Toronto

[Habs Halifax]

Exactly why Dubas said he could see Zaitsev remaining a Leaf.

I don't think moving Zaitsev is high on the too do list this summer. If he can fit it in a trade package that works overall, he will. But he has bigger fish to fry first.

 

[Vitto79]

Shattenkirk , Pionk for

Shattenkirk and Pionk for Kapanen, Zaitsev, and a 2nd?

Leaf fans won't like that much especially with the 2nd................Johannson, Zaitsev for Smith, Pionk ?

 

[Liferleafer]

Why though? You're still saving money on that move, while addressing the hole on the right side of your blueline. Pay someone to eat Horton's last year to give you the offseason flexibility to go about your business, and the cap math should work out as long as Dubas doesn't start giving each of your RFAs 8-digits a year.

Not saying that you need to make this trade or that there can't be better offers out there or anything, I just don't follow your logic here.

Saving money? Sure, long term...the problem is that our cap crunch is right now. Marleau is done next season, Marner needs to be signed right now. So retaining 1 million on Zaitsev while adding EJ is positive 2.5 on our cap for the next 3 seasons..then saves us 3.5 the following 2. That doesn't work.

 

[Pelle31]

Yup.. I know many Leaf fans will argue otherwise just cause they are loyal to their team, but there is something odd going on in TO forsure.

This is very interesting news seeing things change for Zaitsev so quickly

Unless its something as simple as the craziness of the press and all that in Toronto? Im sure some players are envious of playing in cities where they can go wherever they want and do what they want and have nobody really know who you are.

But seems like there are more issues there

You hit the nail on the head, some players can't handle the constant fishbowl atmosphere that the Leafs fans and media provide. Like you said there are players who just want to go wherever they want and not be recognized or bothered. Or maybe Zaitsev is tired of being the poster boy for being shit on by fans and media.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

You hit the nail on the head, some players can't handle the constant fishbowl atmosphere that the Leafs fans and media provide. Like you said there are players who just want to go wherever they want and not be recognized or bothered. Or maybe Zaitsev is tired of being the poster boy for being **** on by fans and media.

I think that title goes to Gardiner lol

Or really, whoever it is that happens to have a bad game i guess

 

[Kshahdoo]

So you are suggesting he is better than Jones, Werenski and Slavin? Good grief Toronto has the most cluelss hockey fans alive. You cant get out of your own way.

I suggest what I suggest. Playoffs is an ultimate test for players' skill and determination. Zaitsev looked good vs Bruins. Read all the series' GDTs, you won't find a lot of fans blaming Zaitsev for the output. You'll find a lot of cursing about Gardiner, though, who's is supposed to get 6M+/year (or even 7M+) this summer. It's what, that is going to be a real disaster and not trading for Zaitsev.

 

[cgf]

Saving money? Sure, long term...the problem is that our cap crunch is right now. Marleau is done next season, Marner needs to be signed right now. So retaining 1 million on Zaitsev while adding EJ is positive 2.5 on our cap for the next 3 seasons..then saves us 3.5 the following 2. That doesn't work.

Right, but you'd also not be paying Kapanen this summer, which should remove more than that 2.5M from your cap sheet for next season even if Kapanen took a bridge deal this summer.

...or am I mixing him up with someone and Kap's got a year left before he hits RFA?

 

[Liferleafer]

Right, but you'd also not be paying Kapanen this summer, which should remove more than that 2.5M from your cap sheet for next season. Or am I mixing him up with someone and he's got a year left until RFA?

Kap was on his ELC last season, RFA now. That doesn't really count as even if we move Kap, that hole needs to be filled. So even if it's filled by an ELC player, we are still positive 2.5 in cap as it stands.

 

[cgf]

Kap was on his ELC last season, RFA now. That doesn't really count as even if we move Kap, that hole needs to be filled. So even if it's filled by an ELC player, we are still positive 2.5 in cap as it stands.

What is Kap expected to sign for this summer?

 

[Liferleafer]

What is Kap expected to sign for this summer?

No idea, the only info out is on Johnsson (turned down a 2 year bridge)

 

[Pelle31]

I think that title goes to Gardiner lol

Or really, whoever it is that happens to have a bad game i guess

True enough, that's why Gardiner will sign elsewhere!

 

[Michel Beauchamp]

I thought Edmonton was better at every single position including management? How's that working for you?

Where did you hide the goal posts ?

 

[Halla]

What is Kap expected to sign for this summer?

2.5-3mil x 2 or so. likely a bridge.

 

[alg363636]

Zaitsev is a weird case. He's not a bad player and would probably fit in well on a lot of teams D-Corps but that term is gross and he's overpaid by about a million.

I imagine they could find a taker but would probably have to give up a low pick or include Johnsson/Kapenen to get a NHL player back.

 

[Halla]

Shattenkirk and Pionk for Kapanen, Zaitsev, and a 2nd?

quick pass. adding a dman that costs 2+ more doesnt do much

Something involving Kapanen for Pionk could probably be worked out though

 

[Halla]

Zaitsev is a weird case. He's not a bad player and would probably fit in well on a lot of teams D-Corps but that term is gross and he's overpaid by about a million.

I imagine they could find a taker but would probably have to give up a low pick or include Johnsson/Kapenen to get a NHL player back.

these two scenarios are very different.

They arent moving Kap/Johnsson just to dump zaitsev for a warm body.

If its zaitsev + kapanen for example they would need a competent top 4 dman coming back

 

[Halla]

Up to 1M, not necessarily 1M...and Kapanen is the Avs incentive to give you the better right-shooting blueliner, with the shorter contract, while taking on most of Zaitsev's money.

But fair enough, just spit-balling.

not a terrible idea, but the leafs would be sunk this year trying to manage the cap

 

[Liferleafer]

not a terrible idea, but the leafs would be sunk this year trying to manage the cap

Ya, that was my issue with it.

 

[Halla]

Beagle and Schaller for Zaitsev

so we move our 2nd pair RHD for a pair of 4th line forwards and actually lose cap space?

yeah, very intriguing .

Counter Zaitsev + 2020 1st for Tanev@3Mil

 

[sparxx87]

these two scenarios are very different.

They arent moving Kap/Johnsson just to dump zaitsev for a warm body.

If its zaitsev + kapanen for example they would need a competent top 4 dman coming back

I agree with you in theory, but Robin has zero leverage now. It’s tough to negotiate when you’re desperate for a particular outcome.

Interesting times in Toronto, that’s for sure.

 

[cgf]

No idea, the only info out is on Johnsson (turned down a 2 year bridge)

2.5-3mil x 2 or so. likely a bridge.

Gotcha, cause guestimating based on our own RFAs, my thinking was that Kap can get himself something in the mid to high 3s if he wants.

Which would put you at a slight savings with this swap even with a full mil retained*. As the equation would be: Zaitsev (4.5M) + Kap (>3.5M) vs EJ (6M) + retention (1M) + ELC (<1M). Leaving a little over 8M going out and a little less than 8M coming in.


*though I was thinking of a number around 750K -- to bring Zaitsev's cost to us down to a more manageable ~3.75M -- rather than the full million per. I just used the full mill because I generally use "worst case scenario" #s when trying to project cap stuff; so that if the unexpected happens you end up with more room than you needed rather than scrambling to clear space.

 

[Halla]

Zaitsev + Sandin + Brown for Petry + Hudon

untouchable. seriously. kid just had 38pts in 57 games (51pt/76 game pace) in the AHL as an 18 year old

 

[LorenzoVonMatterhorn]

I think there are teams out there that would take Zaitsev for free. I think the leafs would will move him for a conditional 7th.

 

[Halla]

I agree with you in theory, but Robin has zero leverage now. It’s tough to negotiate when you’re desperate for a particular outcome.

Interesting times in Toronto, that’s for sure.

yeah yeah, and its tough because the joker left us with nearly 11mil in cap to a 3rd line vet and a #4-#5 dman that now wants out.

leafs are tight for 1 year. cap will go up a few mill, marleaus contract will expire and they wont have any major rfa to sign aside from dermott. things will be fine. book it

 

[Halla]

I think there are teams out there that would take Zaitsev for free. I think the leafs would will move him for a conditional 7th.

probably. guy had 36pts as a rookie getting 2nd unit PP time.

I bet he basically gets moved for a warm body. the suggestions he has to be attached to sandin/liljegren/1st are ridiculous