Friedman's 30 thoughts says not to count out Pittsburgh, citing Gary Roberts involvement with the org.
RD Nikita Zaitsev (2010 undrafted; 2016 signed, TOR)
- Thread starter Blackhawkswincup
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WarriorofTime
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- Jul 3, 2010
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McMatthews
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Skinnyjimmy08
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This is honestly his prospect thread?... 3 pages long only?
Maybe im missing something?
No offense to Leaf fans but usually Leaf stud players are extremely long threads and he is looking like a real impressive signing.
Apparently had an extremely impressive debut last night(only caught some of the game so cant comment on it myself) and Babcock loved his game.
Geeze, 3 pages long and last name not spelled properly? this thread needs to get corrected and get some momentum!!!
Maybe im missing something?
No offense to Leaf fans but usually Leaf stud players are extremely long threads and he is looking like a real impressive signing.
Apparently had an extremely impressive debut last night(only caught some of the game so cant comment on it myself) and Babcock loved his game.
Geeze, 3 pages long and last name not spelled properly? this thread needs to get corrected and get some momentum!!!
Albus Dumbledore
Master of Death
- Mar 28, 2015
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Yeah he was a stud last night, picked up a goal, and honestly is the real deal. He led russia in ice time too at the wch. He has all the tools of a top 4 dman easily, could top out as a low end 2 or a high end 3.
Skinnyjimmy08
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is he aggressive at all? saw that he had a few hits last night too... is that a rarity or is he known to throw his body around throughout games
Albus Dumbledore
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Ughh hard to say. I've seen him through a few checks in the o-zone. But i cant recall him throwing the body much in the neutral or d-zone much. But i wanna say he plays the body a little more then average.
Skinnyjimmy08
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im curious what a realistic point total prediction for him could be this season. Playing with all that firepower up front it wouldn't surprise me if he puts up good totals... and ive read that him and Rielly could become the new top pairing
I know he got a lot of PP time over the years in the KHL. Id love to see this guy have a huge season
I know he got a lot of PP time over the years in the KHL. Id love to see this guy have a huge season
Albus Dumbledore
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hard to say cause theres also gardiner. So offense to be shared by the 3 dman but something like this:
rielly: 40-50 points
zaitsev:30-40 points
gardiner:30-40 points
zaitsev is like a right handed clone of gardiner. Except hes more physical, and has more poise. But they both are silky smooth skaters, who use there sticks well, and have a bomb from the point.
From what I have seen in the WCH and last nights preseason game i would say Gardiner is a much smoother skater. I agree that Zaitsev has more poise and toughness.
So far, I am happy with Zaitsevs decision making and overall skillset. If his skating was on par with Gardiner he'd be ahead of Jake on the depth chart already.
I'm hoping for some Reilly-Zaitsev shifts.
He isn't Emelin, who hits for hits sake, Zaitsev hits, when he needs to hit. But usually he prefer to act more cautiously to hold situation under control.
Randy Randerson
Registered User
I think we overlook that he's a "prospect" because he's in his mid 20's. The spelling isn't a mistake, there's often multiple english spellings of Russian names because the Russian language has its own alphabet that isn't a one-to-one translation to English, we just latch on to the most popular spelling once a player is known here
The leafs board thread on him is much more indepth than this one: http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=2065215
leaflover
Stanley Cup 2022
He looks like he'll transition rather easily to the NHL, which should be expected with so many years of professional hockey under his belt.
He brings a bit of everything to the ice, I think he might end up being a much bigger piece than projected.
He brings a bit of everything to the ice, I think he might end up being a much bigger piece than projected.
Sundinisagod
****
I think he's fairly aggressive. His game seems to be well suited to the North American ice surface. Looks like a top 4 defender to me.
Semantics
PUBLIC ENEMY #1
Far more important than hits is that he doesn't give the opposition any room. He is good at sticking to people like glue, without getting beat, and he battles hard. Compare that to Morgan Rielly who still sometimes gives the opponent a bit too much respect (I blame Carlyle and his "system" for instilling this habit).
Haha, we were off discussing him quietly in our forum. Think most people don't really view him as a prospect so he wasn't discussed here, similar to Panarin not being talked about much here. Due to this bump we will probably be close to Zaitsev III by the time he graduates.
Apotheosis
Registered User
I would think 40 points is realistic for him. If not a bit more with that great looking PP. I suspect Rielly will jump big time and hit above 50 points with a competent partner in Nikita who is great in possession as well.
Sens of Anarchy
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- Jul 9, 2013
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Muston Atthews
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TheCLAM
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Skinnyjimmy08
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when I saw that goal, it reminded me so much of a John Klingberg play... the way he moved into the slot like that and the way he skated and cause he's a right shot I guess
Redline
Registered User
Watched the Toronto vs Ottawa game last night and it looks like the Leafs snagged themselves a good one.
The Leafs in general have become a fun team to watch.
The Leafs in general have become a fun team to watch.
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Kamiccolo
Truly wonderful, the mind of a child is.
I don't think it is unrealistic to say the Leafs have potentially solved their top pairing RD problem. In fact, a top 4 of
Rielly - Zaitsev
Gardiner - Carrick
Is on of the most mobile and creative top 4 D in the NHL, and the epitome of "New" NHL where teams prefer skill over hulking D.
I see this D core struggling to contain players like Benn, Perry, Ovi, but excelling in most other area's including contributing to increased possession stats with their ability to move the puck up the ice, and their ability to run a PP.
Rielly - Zaitsev
Gardiner - Carrick
Is on of the most mobile and creative top 4 D in the NHL, and the epitome of "New" NHL where teams prefer skill over hulking D.
I see this D core struggling to contain players like Benn, Perry, Ovi, but excelling in most other area's including contributing to increased possession stats with their ability to move the puck up the ice, and their ability to run a PP.
FlareKnight
Registered User
He really has looked good so far. In the first couple games he's seemed really reliable out there and moving the puck nicely.
And congrats to him for his first NHL point with that assist on Marner's goal.
And congrats to him for his first NHL point with that assist on Marner's goal.
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