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

[MessierII]

There's been some ridiculous examples to show how bad +/- is. Chara went from worst in the NHl to best in 1 year. The reason? He was traded from the Islanders to a cup contender in the Sens.

Yes and? How does this relate? Was Toronto a terrible team last year? When your top pair are both in the -20’s and next worst guy is -7 you don’t think that means anything?

 

[LeafFever]

Yes and? How does this relate? Was Toronto a terrible team last year? When your top pair are both in the -20’s and next worst guy is -7 you don’t think that means anything?

I think the guy looked pretty darn good for his first year in the NHL. And this year he looks great. HE played brutal minutes last season. Tougher than Larsson.

 

[MessierII]

I think the guy looked pretty darn good for his first year in the NHL. And this year he looks great. HE played brutal minutes last season. Tougher than Larsson.

Maybe but he did not handle them well. He did show promise I’m not disagreeing but clearly that pairing was over it’s head. Ideally those guys could have been sheltered by a legit top pair instead of doing the sheltering and getting lit up. Zaitsev was a great pick up though no two ways about it not saying he wasnt but he’s not a proven legit top pair D yet. Larsson is.

 

[LeafFever]

Maybe but he did not handle them well. He did show promise I’m not disagreeing but clearly that pairing was over it’s head. Ideally those guys could have been sheltered by a legit top pair instead of doing the sheltering and getting lit up. Zaitsev was a great pick up though no two ways about it not saying he wasnt but he’s not a proven legit top pair D yet. Larsson is.

Larsson is not a top pairing guy.

 

[MessierII]

Larsson is not a top pairing guy.

Oh ok thanks for your intelligent counter argument

 

[LeafFever]

Oh ok thanks for your intelligent counter argument

But he's not. The counter argument is he has never been.

 

[MessierII]

But he's not. The counter argument is he has never been.

Oh ok the counter argument is he didn’t play with Green on Jerseys top pair when he did and didn’t play on Edmonton’s top pair with Klefbom when he did. Thanks for your alternative facts.

 

[LeafFever]

Oh ok the counter argument is he didn’t play with Green on Jerseys top pair when he did and didn’t play on Edmonton’s top pair with Klefbom when he did. Thanks for your alternative facts.

Check his ice-time and usage. Thanks.

 

[MessierII]

Check his ice-time and usage. Thanks.

Yeah he had amongst the most 5 on 5 minutes in the league. Just doesn’t play the power play.

 

[ViewsFromThe6ix]

Zaitsev hardly ever gets talked about but he's putting together a remarkable season so far.
5v5 Score Adjusted CF%: 52.13
xGF/60: 5.23
xGA/60: 2.93
Offensive Zone Start %: 42%
Defensive Zone Start %: 58%

For those who don't like advanced stats, 5 points in 6 games and a +8.
All while matching up against top lines for the other team and logging more than 22 minutes a game.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

multiple leafs threads aren't enough, we need multiple threads for individual leafs players

 

[member 290103]

He's not quietly dominating. He's a Norris candidate.

 

[Makar Goes Fast]

Zaitsev hardly ever gets talked about but he's putting together a remarkable season so far.
5v5 Score Adjusted CF%: 52.13
xGF/60: 5.23
xGA/60: 2.93
Offensive Zone Start %: 42%
Defensive Zone Start %: 58%

For those who don't like advanced stats, 5 points in 6 games and a +8.
All while matching up against top lines for the other team and logging more than 22 minutes a game.

lol uhhhhhh...... yeah i dont think thats true right now

 

[ViewsFromThe6ix]

lol uhhhhhh...... yeah i dont think thats true right now

I haven't seen many posts at all about Zaitsev. He's statistically a top 5 defenseman right now, I think it warrants it's own thread.

 

[FrozenJagrt]

I haven't seen many posts at all about Zaitsev. He's statistically a top 5 defenseman right now, I think it warrants it's own thread.

There is a thread asking if he's one of the best free agent signings in recent years. You didn't look very hard.

But yeah, he's been solid.

 

[POVERTY]

Easily the most quiet to dominate the game.

 

[NyQuil]

Most quiet to have two threads on the main page.

 

[Mitchy]

He's quietly roaring back imo.

 

[Beautvillier]

He's quietly roaring back imo.

big if true

 

[Dustin]

This could have been discussed in the other thread about Zaitsev. He's obviously been very good so far this year but as for Norris consideration, it's still quite early to be anointing anyone as a front runner.

Either way I couldn't be happier that the Leafs grabbed him.

 

[LeafFever]

Yeah but remember, he wasn't one of the best UFA signings recently...
A top 4 RH D this good for free? Let The Alberta teams overpay for top 4 D. We got a better one for free.

 

[Makar Goes Fast]

He's quietly roaring back imo.

paper tigers have the most ferocious of roars

 

[Seventyx7]

Definitely the new Cannon.

 

[LeafFever]

The Leafs management group is so good right now. So many great moves to help with top notch organizational depth.

 

[Ryan Michaels]

I haven't seen many posts at all about Zaitsev. He's statistically a top 5 defenseman right now, I think it warrants it's own thread.

I don't care if this is true just please don't say it. Appropriate early season reaction: The Leafs have a great offence. This is appropriate because there offense was great last year, got better on paper in the offseason, and now has started quite hot. Inappropriate early season reaction: whatever the **** this is.

Zaistev is pretty good, but I'm not going to call him anything more than a top 4 dman for a long time.(and since I don't expect him to keep up this pace...probably never)