I don't like this, it smells like a desperation move when it's not warranted. Zaitsev is overpaid, but he's hardly a liability. He plays some really hard physical minutes, is an above average skater, and won't be as easy to replace as some people think.
If he wants out, fine, but the idea of having to give up any asset whatsoever or take any bad contract back in my book is a mistake. If they can't move him, then let him walk to the khl and wipe his contract that way.