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.
I don't see any desperation in this move. Zaitsev wants out, Leafs want his contract gone, pretty simple. If the asset is giving up Brown, that's not a big deal. He's getting traded for nothing anyway. They need his cap space. If they don't sign Ceci they've gained 6.6 in cap space. I'm sure we'll have the details tomorrow, but as of now, I like the move.
Why do the Leafs want Zaitsev's contract gone?
It's not that bad a contract.
They will be paying at least that much for a comparable replacement, for example, it looks like they will be paying that much right off the bat for Ceci who will take the QO unless he is a complete idiot.
Sure the Leafs will be out from under in a year but they are screwed for next year and a year from now with the TV rights coming up for renogitiation you can expect the remaining years on Zaitsev's contract will look rather inexpensive at that point in time.
All of this is without any consideration being given to the argument that Zaitsev may have been misused by the Leafs for the last season and a half.
Why are the leafs trying to take a position with a pronounced weakness and trying to make it weaker still? First Marincin, now Ceci.
The notion that we are allegedly adding a "sweetener" after paying a $3M bonus tomorrow make this potential trade even more ridiculous.
WTFU Dubas!!!