Friedman: Nikita Zaitsev has requested a trade from Toronto

[Killer Orcas]

Yes, he does. Some members of the media don't like him like that guy from Sports net. Some, but not everyone perhaps. I don't live in Canada so I have never been to a game.

Ic well good luck with moving him and don't be surprised if you need to sweeten him with a pick or player. However nothing set in stone another GM might see something he likes. Cheers

 

[Leaf Fans]

A lot more objective than you saying he's better " because I say so" :shrug:

Possibly, but it depends on the quality of the satisical analysis and the methodology employed. If just present stats from some web site I doubt that they would be more objective.

 

[Ranksu]

Shattenkirk wanted to go Rangers and it diminished his trade value. Look back what Blues get from Shattenkirk.

But ofc you've to understand Shattenkirk > Zaitsev

 

[Harvey Birdman]

You are correct...that contract basically puts Zaitsev in negative worth territory....the Leafs will have to eat some of this to get a trade done....

Or the saying that is evil around here... take back a comparable contract that isn’t a pending UFA.

 

[danielpalfredsson]

I wonder if the trade request is being so heavily publicized because it works to the Leafs advantage. It makes it seem like they may not want to move him when I'd guess that they'd gladly take a Mulligan on that contract.

If they were just shopping him, it might further the perception that of course you're shopping him, he's got a bad contract.

I am not suggesting that the trade request is not genuine, only that teams usually try to keep trade requests quiet as to not lose trade leverage.

 

[Spazkat]

I wonder if the trade request is being so heavily publicized because it works to the Leafs advantage. It makes it seem like they may not want to move him when I'd guess that they'd gladly take a Mulligan on that contract.

If they were just shopping him, it might further the perception that of course you're shopping him, he's got a bad contract.

I am not suggesting that the trade request is not genuine, only that teams usually try to keep trade requests quiet as to not lose trade leverage.

Seems unlikely that anyone would be swayed by a few recent news articles about this when there are a mountain of articles prior to this about how they need to dump that terribad contract and his poor play. You also assume that GM's know exactly what he is (and isn't) for what he makes without relying on the TOR media for valuation advice.

It might make it easier for fans to swallow if their team is the unfortunate one that ends up with him, but I doubt it had any effect on getting a trade done

 

[TheDoldrums]

Shattenkirk wanted to go Rangers and it diminished his trade value. Look back what Blues get from Shattenkirk.

But ofc you've to understand Shattenkirk > Zaitsev

The situations are nothing alike. Shattenkirk was traded as a rental and was obviously a more desirable asset. The Leafs aren't expecting to get value out of a Zaitsev trade, they just want him out (and the feeling is mutual).

 

[Cor]

I wonder if the trade request is being so heavily publicized because it works to the Leafs advantage. It makes it seem like they may not want to move him when I'd guess that they'd gladly take a Mulligan on that contract.

If they were just shopping him, it might further the perception that of course you're shopping him, he's got a bad contract.

I am not suggesting that the trade request is not genuine, only that teams usually try to keep trade requests quiet as to not lose trade leverage.

I think the trade request is legitimate. Zaitsev did an interview in Russia 2 days ago where he bashed how the media (and I guess fans) treat the d-men.

However, it's not a coincidence that hours after this news broke, Dubas did a press availability, saying that they liked his game the 2nd half of the year, and he's paid reasonably for a long time, and it's not a situation where he for sure wouldn't be back.

It's no longer just Kyle Dubas calling teams shopping this player just to do it, but rather Dubas, and Zaitsev's agent calling teams saying that it's Nikita who wants a trade.

It definitely gives Dubas a better angle.

 

[Cotton]

I think the trade request is legitimate. Zaitsev did an interview in Russia 2 days ago where he bashed how the media (and I guess fans) treat the d-men.

However, it's not a coincidence that hours after this news broke, Dubas did a press availability, saying that they liked his game the 2nd half of the year, and he's paid reasonably for a long time, and it's not a situation where he for sure wouldn't be back.

It's no longer just Kyle Dubas calling teams shopping this player just to do it, but rather Dubas, and Zaitsev's agent calling teams saying that it's Nikita who wants a trade.

It definitely gives Dubas a better angle.

Did you read the article? He was complaining about his utilization, about being a two-way D who's been forced into a being a defensive D, and getting trashed for his shortcomings in that role (one he doesn't want) specifically for +/- and how Cherry blasted him on national TV.

Its basically a Babcock criticism. He even mentions anytime he's headed into the offensive zone he's called off, and this is from a guy who we signed as a two-way D who actually produced in his first year.

The article even points out that Russia utilizes him properly to where he's a leader at both ends of the ice.

 

[stator]

"Hey you want this bottom pairing d-man signed for the next 5 years at 4.5M?"

Every NHL GM: "No"

Even the Sharks have bottom pairs in Braun and Dillon for far cheaper.

 

[Pyrophorus]

Shattenkirk wanted to go Rangers and it diminished his trade value. Look back what Blues get from Shattenkirk.

But ofc you've to understand Shattenkirk > Zaitsev

Shattenkirk was also in the last year of his contract.
Copley has done pretty well.

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

Plays top four min.check
Rhd .check
Playoff advanced stats pretty decent.check
Shut down Boston's top line better than Seth jones.check
Wears a leafs jersey...negative value.

Never change hf.

If he is as good as you say he is, why would Toronto be looking to trade him? He's their only RHD, their biggest position of need

 

[Liferleafer]

If he is as good as you say he is, why would Toronto be looking to trade him? He's their only RHD, their biggest position of need

I'll give you an honest answer, because his contract is less than desirable...and more importantly, because he asked to be traded.

 

[Cor]

If he is as good as you say he is, why would Toronto be looking to trade him? He's their only RHD, their biggest position of need

He uh, requested a trade.

Oh, and we need to free up cap space somehow.

He was quite good beside Muzzin when he didn't need to cover for Gardiner.

That said, I am not going to pretend that he is going to garner a big return (it will be a soft deal as Lebrun, McKenzie, and Friedman have indicated) or that I will be upset when he is dealt.

However, his reputation here is harsh to what he is. Babcock uses him as a shut down guy, when he is more of an offensive zone, 2nd powerplay guy.

 

[BruinsBtn]

Damien Cox writes an article today. Writes three times that Zaitsev only has four years left on his deal (it's 5). That idiot can't even check his facts.

 

[93gilmour93]

If he is as good as you say he is, why would Toronto be looking to trade him? He's their only RHD, their biggest position of need

Take a second and read the title of the thread again

 

[Kamiccolo]

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

I really hope you aren't insinuating Rielly and Trouba are interchangeable.. And there is no capdump in the deal.

 

[JetsHomer]

Shattenkirk was also in the last year of his contract.
Copley has done pretty well.

Another key difference is that Shattenkirk was an actually decent player, where Zaitsev has been garbage for back to back seasons now

 

[Menzinger]

If he is as good as you say he is, why would Toronto be looking to trade him? He's their only RHD, their biggest position of need

His contract isnt great considering his offensive abilities.

Zaitsev has more value to a GM not into analytics like Dubas

 

[Spazkat]

Take a second and read the title of the thread again

Yes of course its only that he wants to be traded and not because people have been bitching about the discrepancy between level of play and contract length/dollars forever

 

[justafan22]

 

[Michel Beauchamp]

Plays top four min.check
Rhd .check
Playoff advanced stats pretty decent.check
Shut down Boston's top line better than Seth jones.check
Wears a leafs jersey...negative value.

Never change hf.

"Advanced stats" ?

You don't mind losing credibility ?

 

[Jozay]

Whatever team(s) miss out Myers, will most likely look at Zaitsev.

Sorry to the fan base that will be ecstatic they missed out on Myers, only to get Zaitsev.

 

[hamzarocks]

Hopefully this is true and we get some decent assets for him.

 

[Liferleafer]

Hopefully this is true and we get some decent assets for him.

Personal reasons in January? Wonder what the issues are....