Is Nikita Zaitsev one of the top free agent signings of the last few years?

[Syckle78]

Yes, yes he is. Larsson is a good #3 but Zaitsev is a legit top-pairing guy.

What the hell is in the water in Toronto?

 

[TLEH]

These are not finds. everyone knows theyre talented, they pick you, you dont pick them

 

[Halla]

I'd go with Panarin. Easily the best import UFA signing among recent dmen though.
Zaitsev has easily been the leafs best dman this year. 2g/3a/5pts in 5 games with a +8. what a find!

 

[Batrous]

It's probably in the top 5 but Panarin's signing is probably going to be topping it.

 

[Tripod]

Guess neither of you realize the Leafs courted him a year prior to his free agency and the main reason he ultimately chose the Leafs was because they were the first to show interest.

Umm..no....go look back, Philly was interested in him years ago. Lots of Flyers fans knew who he was for years.

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

Radulov and Panarin better

 

[Tripod]

Philadelphia wanted him even before. Him + Provorov could be epic for the team and Russian NT...

Thank you for also pointing this out even though it will be glossed over.

 

[DDRhockey]

Zaitsev is not better than larsson

 

[hohosaregood]

Best defensive signing in the last 20 years really.

 

[CCM19]

-22 last year.

Ouch

 

[bobermay]

Radulov and Panarin better

I'd take Zaitsev over Radulov, easily.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Zaitsev is not better than larsson

Twice as many points and almost 2 min more TOI, than Larsson in his rookie season, and this season it's even stupid to compare them so far. Of course, the season has just started, but still...

 

[Atas2000]

Value wise one could argue Zaytsev over Panarin. Good D-men are a rare commodity. As it was brought up in the thread Oilers had to give up a former 1OA established consistent top line scorer to get Lander. Signing one for free beats that by a country mile.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Value wise one could argue Zaytsev over Panarin. Good D-men are a rare commodity. As it was brought up in the thread Oilers had to give up a former 1OA established consistent top line scorer to get Lander. Signing one for free beats that by a country mile.

Panarin is better than Hall though, despite being undrafted of the same draft year...

 

[Bedards Dad]

Panarin/Radulov are clearly #1 and 2 for non-drafted active FAs in the last 5 to 8 years. Beyond that who would be better than Zaitsev? It's not like there is a long list of active FAs that are tearing up the league.

This should be on the Leafs board, but it really isn't that far off base.

 

[izzy]

I'd take Zaitsev over Radulov, easily.

good lord

 

[Tripod]

Panarin/Radulov are clearly #1 and 2 for non-drafted active FAs in the last 5 to 8 years. Beyond that who would be better than Zaitsev? It's not like there is a long list of active FAs that are tearing up the league.

This should be on the Leafs board, but it really isn't that far off base.

Bobrovsky has them both beat.

 

[Avelanche]

this is like saying "Is McDavid the best draft pick the last few years?". It was a lottery. All these russians are just picking teams they aren't "great signings".

 

[Bedards Dad]

this is like saying "Is McDavid the best draft pick the last few years?". It was a lottery. All these russians are just picking teams they aren't "great signings".

You think there is nothing that the GMs do? Just sit there and wait for a signature?

 

[Atas2000]

Panarin is better than Hall though, despite being undrafted of the same draft year...

Zaytsev is from the same wjc team. Tarasenko, Kuznetsov, Panarin, Zaytsev, Orlov were the top guys. It is beyond me how Panarin and Zaytsev went undrafted.

 

[g00n]

Deleting way too many shitposts in this thread.

If you don't want to contribute to the discussion get out and don't post about it.

 

[MaxV]

I was surprised that Zaitsev went undrafted for multiple years. He was a known prospect and was even thought to be a possible 2nd rounder.

He also got a shot with NHL team before, I believe he was in Rangers camp.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Good signing but part of why he looks so good is just the Babcock effect. See Dekeyser as a comparable in Detroit, during Babcock's tenure and after.

 

[Yackiberg8]

good lord

The Radulov signing is diminished by the fact he left after 1 year. Would rather have Zaitsev for 8 years than Radulov for 1.

 

[Tad Mikowsky]

Twice as many points and almost 2 min more TOI, than Larsson in his rookie season, and this season it's even stupid to compare them so far. Of course, the season has just started, but still...

How old was Zaitsev again in his rookie year? 24?

Oh and he played 7 years of KHL hockey before that?