Leafs force to part with significant piece to make Zaitsev trade happen

The Toronto Maple Leafs might want to be nice guys and trade defensemen Nikita Zaitsev in order to give the Russian blue liner a “fresh start” in the NHL, they might find it hard to make the move worth it. 

After several weeks on the market with the well-known desire of Zaitsev to get out of Toronto, Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas is struggling to find the right offer for his club. 

On top of that, TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger revealed Monday that the Leafs might have to include a 'sweetener' to trade away Zaitsev given the five-year term remaining on his current contract.

"What are you giving to the team that is taking Nikita Zaitsev? You're giving them something," Dreger said on TSN Radio 1050 Toronto. "Teams are worried about the term of Nikita Zaitsev. If he's the defenseman that he was two years ago, I don't think anyone's worried about it... You can't take that term and have Nikita Zaitsev have another year like he had last year, so you're going to have to sweeten it some degree."

It is believed that some teams expect the Leafs to add young forward Connor Brown to sweeten the deal, which would mean the Leafs would move a significant piece that could be used in another trade this summer. 

Zaitsev, who inked his seven-year extension with the Maple Leafs in 2017, during his 36-points season as an NHL rookie, carries a $4.5 million cap hit through 2023-24. He posted just three goals and 14 points in 81 games in 2018-19. 

It seems like Dubas is aware now he might not be able to give Zaitsev what he wants, explaining that he does not plan to move the Russian blue liner unless the team can acquire a defenseman back

“I don’t think it’s guaranteed at all," Dubas said of trading Zaitsev at the NHL Draft. "We’ve told them we will try to work with them but if we can’t return a defenseman back and can’t stay equal or improve the team, he will be back with the team."

Dreger did give the Leafs some hope stating that the rumoured increasing price of unrestricted free agents this summer such as Tyler Myers, could lead a general manager to opt for Zaitsev instead. Some insiders believe Myers could seek upwards of $8 million per season, which makes Zaitsev a cheaper option.