Yeah, obviously I can't speak with any authority or anything but I don't immediately get the sense that Zaitsev is so toxic that he's a "bribe another team to take him" sort of thing.
Right now he should be seen as a 27 year old guy with a five year deal. Maybe it will take until after free agency and some teams miss out on their targets but I think you might be able to move that sort of deal and get some sort of asset back without taking back a bunch of money.
Justin Bourne said something similar to your point today which was that if another team signed Zaitsev to a 5-year deal at this cap hit today everyone would say it's a little too much for a little too long but it's also believable considering deals signed in the past. GMs always have a blindspot for defencemen who play a lot of minutes.
Justin Bourne said something similar to your point today which was that if another team signed Zaitsev to a 5-year deal at this cap hit today everyone would say it's a little too much for a little too long but it's also believable considering deals signed in the past. GMs always have a blindspot for defencemen who play a lot of minutes.
That's sort of my thinking. It'd be Kris Russell bad, not Jeff Finger bad.
Justin Bourne said something similar to your point today which was that if another team signed Zaitsev to a 5-year deal at this cap hit today everyone would say it's a little too much for a little too long but it's also believable considering deals signed in the past. GMs always have a blindspot for defencemen who play a lot of minutes.
That's sort of my thinking. It'd be Kris Russell bad, not Jeff Finger bad.
Since you brought up his name in another thread, it'll be pretty funny to me if the Leafs can deal Zaitsev in a trade that works out favourably for them while the Habs can't give Karl Alzner away for free. They both have roughly the same cap hit but Alzner's deal is 2 years shorter. The only other noticeable difference I can see between the two is that Zaitsev's coach kept playing him while Alzner's didn't. I might have to thank Babcock for his usage of him after all.
What about Anaheim as a landing spot? They have to go for it and they have frittered away a lot of their RD depth but still have a good pool of centre prospects to deal from.
What about Anaheim as a landing spot? They have to go for it and they have frittered away a lot of their RD depth but still have a good pool of centre prospects to deal from.
It's kinda incredible how the Ducks went from having one of the deepest defence groups in the league to... whatever they have now.
A much simpler trade proposal that I see making the rounds is Zaitsev to Dallas for Honka. Or at least something revolving around that. They've shown to have a pretty questionable taste in defencemen (Polak, Methot, Lovejoy, Oleksiak, Fedun) recently and only have 4 D under contract right now.
Some insight into ZaitsevI get the feeling from some of his comments that he has a real chip on his shoulders, basically he was a star in the KHL, one of the tops there, highly respected. Now he is Cherry's whipping boy for Russian D men. He doesn't like the Leaf fan base and its "pitchfork" mentality. Perhaps he feels like Rodney Dangerfield and that he is getting "no respect". Lets move him out and fast.
https://www.reddit.com/r/leafs/comments/buh63q/zaitsev_interview_in_russia_video_translation_in/epc15nu
https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2019/5/30/18646291/toronto-maple-leafs-rumors-nikita-zaitsev-maple-leafs-trades-nhl-trades-maple-leafs-defence
And it seems like one of the reasons he might be wanting a change of scenery is the churn of how fans are sheep to 'clowns' like Don Cherry, and how the Athletic's game score rating system shafts defensive players leading to narratives that just wear you down.
Some insight into ZaitsevI get the feeling from some of his comments that he has a real chip on his shoulders, basically he was a star in the KHL, one of the tops there, highly respected. Now he is Cherry's whipping boy for Russian D men. He doesn't like the Leaf fan base and its "pitchfork" mentality. Perhaps he feels like Rodney Dangerfield and that he is getting "no respect". Lets move him out and fast.
https://www.reddit.com/r/leafs/comments/buh63q/zaitsev_interview_in_russia_video_translation_in/epc15nu
https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2019/5/30/18646291/toronto-maple-leafs-rumors-nikita-zaitsev-maple-leafs-trades-nhl-trades-maple-leafs-defence
And it seems like one of the reasons he might be wanting a change of scenery is the churn of how fans are sheep to 'clowns' like Don Cherry, and how the Athletic's game score rating system shafts defensive players leading to narratives that just wear you down.
What about the Islanders?
Lou signed him to the contract in the first place.
Leo had a great season there, they love him.
Everyone loves Leo (or is that Raymond)We loved Leo too. Just hated how Babs used him like on Matthews wing lol.
I'm all for Clarke MacArthur retiring a Leaf on LTIR, let's make it happen.
I'm all for Clarke MacArthur retiring a Leaf on LTIR, let's make it happen.
I'm all for Clarke MacArthur retiring a Leaf on LTIR, let's make it happen.
Wasn’t his departure very acrimonious? I know he was a free agent, but didn’t he slam the door on the way out?
Pierre LeBrun (whose source in CAR is GM Don Waddell) was on TSN1040 yesterday saying the Hurricanes could have interest in doing a trade of Kapanen + Zaitsev for Pesce/Hamilton/Faulk after Zaitsev's signing bonus is paid.
— J (@Account4hockey) June 4, 2019
I'm not sure Tulsky would let Waddell take Zaitsev back
Pierre LeBrun (whose source in CAR is GM Don Waddell) was on TSN1040 yesterday saying the Hurricanes could have interest in doing a trade of Kapanen + Zaitsev for Pesce/Hamilton/Faulk after Zaitsev's signing bonus is paid.
— J (@Account4hockey) June 4, 2019
I'm not sure Tulsky would let Waddell take Zaitsev back
Uh, yeah, this idea please.
I know! Which one would you want?
I know! Which one would you want?
My personal rankings would be Pesce, Hamilton, Faulk.
Not considering contracts, the gaps between all 3 isn't very big I don't think. But Pesce having 5 years left at a great AAV gives him a huge boost, while Faulk being a year away from UFA of course does the opposite.
Throwing in Kappy to dump Zaitsev is a lot to pay for Pesce imo. I watched him play and I wasn't thinking, man would love to have him on our team. I have no issue giving up a prospect but Kappy isn't the one.Pierre LeBrun (whose source in CAR is GM Don Waddell) was on TSN1040 yesterday saying the Hurricanes could have interest in doing a trade of Kapanen + Zaitsev for Pesce/Hamilton/Faulk after Zaitsev's signing bonus is paid.
— J (@Account4hockey) June 4, 2019
I'm not sure Tulsky would let Waddell take Zaitsev back
Uh, yeah, this idea please.
Throwing in Kappy to dump Zaitsev is a lot to pay for Pesce imo. I watched him play and I wasn't thinking, man would love to have him on our team. I have no issue giving up a prospect but Kappy isn't the one.
Throwing in Kappy to dump Zaitsev is a lot to pay for Pesce imo. I watched him play and I wasn't thinking, man would love to have him on our team. I have no issue giving up a prospect but Kappy isn't the one.
I'm probably wrong but a top 6 forward for a 2nd pair D man? I think it would be a good deal for both teams. Maybe we'd have to add a pick. I don't see it as robbery for the Leafs.Throwing in Kappy to dump Zaitsev is a lot to pay for Pesce imo. I watched him play and I wasn't thinking, man would love to have him on our team. I have no issue giving up a prospect but Kappy isn't the one.
How would you feel about a Kapanen for Pesce trade straight up? Because that'd be highway robbery for the Leafs, especially when you consider Pesce's sweetheart contract.
I'm probably wrong but a top 6 forward for a 2nd pair D man? I think it would be a good deal for both teams. Maybe we'd have to add a pick. I don't see it as robbery for the Leafs.
I guess my big objection when looking at that deal is that I don't like the idea of dumping Zaitsev for literally nothing. Yes we don't like his contract but he is still a serviceable RHD man. They're valuable and he played well with Muzz.
Is Pesce that much of an upgrade on Zaitsev? Their contracts aren't that different.
Thx Busta. Appreciate the insight. I would only say that you are calling Kappy a 3rd line guy, but the reality was he played in our top 6, so we'll call him that in trade talks with other teams, lol. Nylander maybe our 3rd lline centre if Kadri is gone so Kappy would remain top 6..
Sorry I don't trade for any guy whose name means fish...it could end up smelling.
Where does he go? With the above in mind, I pulled up some info about teams throughout the league. I didn’t search for who I thought needed a player like Nikita Zaitsev – I searched for a team that might think they need a guy like Nikita Zaitsev.
http://faceoffcircle.ca/2019/06/04/evaluating-destinations-for-nikita-zaitsev/QuoteWhere does he go? With the above in mind, I pulled up some info about teams throughout the league. I didn’t search for who I thought needed a player like Nikita Zaitsev – I searched for a team that might think they need a guy like Nikita Zaitsev.
(https://securea.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/545361.jpg)That is one big smelly contract for a big Fish.
Trade discussions will heat up in the days leading up to next weeks draft. Mentioned Vancouver’s interest in Nikita Zaitsev last week. Sounds like the Oilers have some interest as well.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 13, 2019
Why is Paul Marner giving Dreger Zaitsev info?
I’m told the #Canucks are, indeed, shopping Tanev. His injury history may scare some teams, and his limited no-trade clause (8 teams he can block) further shallows the pool, but he is in play. https://t.co/yWikNd5qKy
— Matthew Sekeres (@mattsekeres) June 19, 2019
I’m told the #Canucks are, indeed, shopping Tanev. His injury history may scare some teams, and his limited no-trade clause (8 teams he can block) further shallows the pool, but he is in play. https://t.co/yWikNd5qKy
— Matthew Sekeres (@mattsekeres) June 19, 2019
Canucks are reportedly interested in Zaitsev... Leafs reportedly want a defenceman in return for Zaitsev... Canucks are reportedly stopping Tanev...
I'm a lot cooler on Tanev than I was a year or two ago because of his continued injury issues, but this is still something that makes sense for both sides I think.
I’m told the #Canucks are, indeed, shopping Tanev. His injury history may scare some teams, and his limited no-trade clause (8 teams he can block) further shallows the pool, but he is in play. https://t.co/yWikNd5qKy
— Matthew Sekeres (@mattsekeres) June 19, 2019
Canucks are reportedly interested in Zaitsev... Leafs reportedly want a defenceman in return for Zaitsev... Canucks are reportedly stopping Tanev...
I'm a lot cooler on Tanev than I was a year or two ago because of his continued injury issues, but this is still something that makes sense for both sides I think.
Agreed - the injury history scares me a bit, but he's exactly the type of player the Leafs need; a shot suppressing d-man.
I’m told the #Canucks are, indeed, shopping Tanev. His injury history may scare some teams, and his limited no-trade clause (8 teams he can block) further shallows the pool, but he is in play. https://t.co/yWikNd5qKy
— Matthew Sekeres (@mattsekeres) June 19, 2019
Canucks are reportedly interested in Zaitsev... Leafs reportedly want a defenceman in return for Zaitsev... Canucks are reportedly stopping Tanev...
I'm a lot cooler on Tanev than I was a year or two ago because of his continued injury issues, but this is still something that makes sense for both sides I think.
Tired: Nikita Zaitsev for Jesse Puljujarvi
— Ian Tulloch📊 (@IanGraph) June 19, 2019
Wired: Connor Brown for Jesse Puljujarvi https://t.co/UWnriOc9PX
Not directly Zaitsev-related anymore, but if Connor Brown can net Jesse Puljujarvi, then this should be done right away.
Can CP still play at a decent level?Not directly Zaitsev-related anymore, but if Connor Brown can net Jesse Puljujarvi, then this should be done right away.
Zaitsev for Tanev, Brown for Pulji, Kapanen for Pesce, dump Marleau's contract, sign Corey Perry for cheap. LETS GO
Can CP still play at a decent level?
Can CP still play at a decent level?
I think he can rebound to be a fine bottom-6+PP option. But I mean even if his only value is doing something stupid before Kadri has a chance to then that still seems worth it.