Value of: Zaitsev to a tanking team?

[Ralph Malfredsson]

The guy plays like the scarecrow from Wizard of Oz.

masterful description. Should be in his Wikipedia entry

 

[Wondercarrot]

If this was Ottawa's offer I take it!
Top 3-10 pick in '23 is more than worth Murphy and taking on Zaitsev's deal.

Fortunately it is not an offer Ottawa would consider making

 

[Akrapovince]

Ducks can take him... but what are you going to add to it.

Guaranteed best odds at Bedard.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Guaranteed best odds at Bedard.

We’re sitting there already

 

[Tanknation]

Guaranteed best odds at Bedard.

Zaitsev + Hall = guaranteed 1st overall pick.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Zaitsev + Hall = guaranteed 1st overall pick.

I’ll bite, who’s Hall.

 

[Tanknation]

I’ll bite, who’s Hall.

Taylor.

 

[Golden_Jet]

I’ll bite, who’s Hall.

I thought of Taylor but Doesn’t play for Ottawa, unless your talking about 2 different deals

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

What the heck happened to Zaitsev? He had a great start with TOR and he played pretty good for Russia. He just fell off a cliff or something. Concussion issues?

No injury issues that I know of, although I suspect he has played through a lot over the years.

Zaitsev is a bad puck handler and, more importantly, lacks poise with the puck. Dorion also alluded to some mental health struggles, not necessarily a "disorder", but loss of confidence in the face of pretty brutal public criticism.

That said, since returning from Belleville, he has been adequate. He was even awarded our locker room player of the game award in our last game - although that was largely a show of support & camaraderie from teammates rather than a reflection of him playing an incredible game. If he can play like a legit bottom pairing D for Ottawa (which, imo, is pretty much his ceiling) it will go a long way for us. Still, in a healthy lineup, his days are numbered here.

Regardless, he has had a rough ride and gotten undue hate from fans (he's been bad, but he has always tried his best) so it would be nice to see him extend his NHL career.

 

[Pyrophorus]

Isn't Ottawa a tanking team?