Report: Leafs have already received offers on Zaitsev, trade coming?

The offers are rolling in!

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 4 years ago
Report: Leafs have already received offers on Zaitsev, trade coming?
Zuma Press

According to a report from NHL insider Bob McKenzie of TSN, the Toronto Maple Leafs are actively shopping defensemen Nikita Zaitsev in order to give the Russian blueliner a “fresh start” in the NHL.

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Further to that report, McKenzie reports that the Leafs have received “multiple inquires” regarding Zaitsev.

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Here’s the thing… trading Zaitsev could be tricky for Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas.

The 27 year old Zaitsev put up just three goals and 14 points this past season and makes $4.5 million against the salary cap for the next five seasons. That’s a steep price for a player who can’t even put up 20 points and is arguably not even a top four defenseman.

It wasn’t always this way with Zaitsev, however. In his first season with the Leafs after coming over from Russia, Zaitsev put up four goals and 36 points in 82 games. Since then though, Zaitsev has managed just 13 points and then 14 points the past two seasons. Quite a drop off.

It’s possible that there’s a team out there with interest and that Zaitsev could be moved this offseason, but the Leafs would likely have to pay a premium just to offload his contract. Failing that, they could flip him for another overpaid player in need of a change of scenery.

Sit tight, Leafs fans. There’s still lots more to come with regards to Zaitsev.

Source: Bob McKenzie