Friedman: Nikita Zaitsev has requested a trade from Toronto

[Boondock]

I agree Vancouver's defense needs some work. Zaitsev would probably be a good minute muncher for them and could kick start his scoring with larger offensive responsibility. I wouldn't be surprised if his usage and fan reception aren't the reasons for him wanting to leave. I'd even do Zaitsev for Schaller straight up. The Leafs save 2.6M on the cap next season and open up room long term for another RHD. The Leafs need a tougher group iced next season. Schaller would be a good banger on line #4 for a year.

I would be mad as a Canuck fan for sure. Need incentive to take Z on otherwise we re-sign Schenn and look for another younger RDH via trade.

 

[Randy Randerson]

Would Toronto have any interest in Michael Stone as a cheap (to acquire) replacement? 1 year left on his deal. Still an NHL defenceman I think, he's just been pushed out of Calgary's lineup due to the success of our young guys.

Stone doesn't profile as a Dubas type of player, analytics don't paint a pretty picture for him and the bottom pairing RHD spot is probably earmarked for a Liljegren tryout this year, plus there's the cap hit in a year that's a cap pinch for us

I think someone will take Stone but I'd be surprised if it were the Leafs

 

[Boondock]

Kapanen, Zaitsev, Leafs 2020 1st
for
Trouba

Would you trade Reilly for a cap dump, a 2/3 line winger and a late first next season?

 

[JetsHomer]

The problem with moving Zaitsev is that there is a plethora of bottom pairing ~4m Dman available, nearly all of which are owed less than half of what Zaitsev is owed due to Zaitsev's ridiculous term

Why move assets for Zaitsev when you can have superior, cheaper Dmen like Sekera, Kulikov, Russel, Demers etc for essentially free?

 

[93gilmour93]

The problem with moving Zaitsev is that there is a plethora of bottom pairing ~4m Dman available, nearly all of which are owed less than half of what Zaitsev is owed due to Zaitsev's ridiculous term

Why move assets for Zaitsev when you can have superior, cheaper Dmen like Sekera, Kulikov, Russel, Demers etc for essentially free?

It only takes one GM to think Zaitsev is a better option then the players you listed and the leafs have themselves a trade

 

[Clayonator]

Leaf fans, Zaitsev and Johnsson would require what from Ottawa in return?

 

[Golden Puppers]

/sigh Zaitsev led the Leafs in TOI SH and 4th on the team 5 on 5 (3rd if you didnt include Muzzin) ahead of Hainsey
He's a 20min a night 2nd pairing defender who never played with anyone responsible defensively. ...Muzzin was pretty bad in his short time, and I hope it was just him trying too hard to impress, and not what we should expect next year

At best he's a lower end #4...if that's what you call a '2nd pairing defenseman' whatever, it's semantics.

 

[Liferleafer]

Leaf fans, Zaitsev and Johnsson would require what from Ottawa in return?

A 2nd...and we'll send some donuts and coffee for your front office.

 

[Clayonator]

A 2nd...and we'll send some donuts and coffee for your front office.

Done, our coffee maker just broke.

 

[Liferleafer]

Done, our coffee maker just broke.

Nice...you guys want cappuccinos?

 

[JetsHomer]

Done, our coffee maker just broke.

Sens could offer sheet Johnsson for 4m and the compensation to the Leafs would only be a 2nd and the Leafs wouldn't have the cap space to match the offer sheet

No need to take on Zaitsev to get Johnsson or Kapanen at all!

 

[Liferleafer]

Sens could offer sheet Johnsson for 4m and the compensation to the Leafs would only be a 2nd and the Leafs wouldn't have the cap space to match the offer sheet

No need to take on Zaitsev to get Johnsson or Kapanen at all!

Yes, Sens could also offersheet Laine...Aho....Point....

 

[JetsHomer]

Yes, Sens could also offersheet Laine...Aho....Point....

Yeah but those teams would easily match any offersheets. The Leafs would be unable to match an offersheet to AJ or Kapanen.

Not at all comparable

 

[Liferleafer]

Yeah but those teams would easily match any offersheets. The Leafs would be unable to match an offersheet to AJ or Kapanen.

Not at all comparable

Well that's incorrect, but that's alright.

Also, my point was offersheets very rarely happen.

 

[Michael HOMERUNing]

Yeah but those teams would easily match any offersheets. The Leafs would be unable to match an offersheet to AJ or Kapanen.

Not at all comparable

Not if Sens through 9 million at each of Trouba, Connor, and Laine.

 

[Boondock]

Out of curiosity does Stone being available for basically a song and a dance make moving Z any more difficult? Lower cap and less term for a similar player.

 

[Randy Randerson]

Out of curiosity does Stone being available for basically a song and a dance make moving Z any more difficult? Lower cap and less term for a similar player.

I would think that the team acquiring Zaitsev is parting with an albatross of their own or acquiring something of decent value, probably neither of which would be involved in a Stone trade because he only has a year left

Zaitsev has been similarly bad to Stone, but does that in a much bigger role...I don't know how to factor for that, but I would imagine that matters to GM's who don't buy into analytics

 

[I am Canadian]

Leaf fans, Zaitsev and Johnsson would require what from Ottawa in return?

#32

 

[Menzinger]

Sens could offer sheet Johnsson for 4m and the compensation to the Leafs would only be a 2nd and the Leafs wouldn't have the cap space to match the offer sheet

No need to take on Zaitsev to get Johnsson or Kapanen at all!

They could, but won't.

 

[Skin Tape Session]

Lucic for zaitsev

I'd rather pay Z 8 mil than lucic 2 million. Yuck!!

 

[Nervousbreakdown]

I don't think Zaitzev is going to cost the leafs anything to get rid of. If he was a UFA this season a couple teams would probably be willing to give him a very similar contract, he doesn't have a ton of value but I bet a team trades a mid pick for him and Dubas takes it.

 

[TheGroceryStick]

Yeah but those teams would easily match any offersheets. The Leafs would be unable to match an offersheet to AJ or Kapanen.

Not at all comparable

So your saying they should create an enemy in the league....by overpaying on a player simply because they can?

Seems legit. Likely scenario is they just pay the 2nd + if he's available..rather than offersheet. Considering those don't happen, id say if they are after AJ and are fine eating Zaitsev AND if they

Yeah but those teams would easily match any offersheets. The Leafs would be unable to match an offersheet to AJ or Kapanen.

Not at all comparable

Offersheets don't happen.
If AJ is far away in dollars....teams would rather work out a deal than catch someone off guard with a sheet.

 

[JetsHomer]

Teams would likely rather catch another GM off guard with an offer sheet rather than take on Zaitsev and his horrible deal

 

[Junohockeyfan]

I don't think Zaitzev is going to cost the leafs anything to get rid of. If he was a UFA this season a couple teams would probably be willing to give him a very similar contract, he doesn't have a ton of value but I bet a team trades a mid pick for him and Dubas takes it.

Not a chance! Haha

 

[Leaf Fans]

Would you trade Reilly for a cap dump, a 2/3 line winger and a late first next season?

No, no one would even propose that for Truba. Who can potetionaly be a UFA himself next season.