BREAKING: SHOCKING detail emerges and justifies Zaitsev new contract.

BREAKING: SHOCKING detail emerges and justifies Zaitsev new contract.

Pierre LeBrun, NHL insiders, reported earlier this week that the Toronto Maple Leafs had officially signed Zaitsev’s deal reported a while back: 7 years and $4.5 M AAV. Zaitsev’s deal includes $11 million in bonuses.

The 25 year-old blue liner had 4 goals and 36 points in his rookie campaign and suited up for four of the Leafs six playoff games.

According to Aivis Kalniņš KHL insiders. KHL/European scout who broke the news on Zaitsev contract, CSKA Moscow offered Nikita Zaitsev a two-year deal worth 11 million, so he would return to KHL.

That is probably why he had some leverage to get more terms from the Toronto Maple Leafs.