Confirmed with Link: Leafs sign Nikita Zaitsev to a 1 year ELC

[The_Chosen_One]

I've literally never heard that? His skating is always been known as a strength.

The criticism has always been about his first steps. It isn't very efficient and a bit choppy. Maybe Underhill can help, but I wouldn't consider him a high-end skater.

Fret not, Zaitsev is a puck mover who likes to keep the puck zipping. This means that he isn't a puck rusher like Phaneuf who lacks the speed to get back into position.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

his goal last night reminded me so much of a John Klingberg type goal/play

 

[LyGuy]

The criticism has always been about his first steps. It isn't very efficient and a bit choppy. Maybe Underhill can help, but I wouldn't consider him a high-end skater.

Fret not, Zaitsev is a puck mover who likes to keep the puck zipping. This means that he isn't a puck rusher like Phaneuf who lacks the speed to get back into position.

What the heck does a bit choppy even mean?

 

[The_Chosen_One]

What the heck does a bit choppy even mean?

When accelerating, his first steps aren't as smooth as Gardiner and Rielly. It isn't the end of the world considering that he isn't a rover like those two. However, I think when having top-end smooth-skating D, higher skating standards are going to be the result.

 

[hamzarocks]

his goal last night reminded me so much of a John Klingberg type goal/play

Man would that be amazing. If he became 3/4 of the player klingerg is right now I think our top pairing rhd problem Might be solved.

 

[Kshahdoo]

He didn't play a lot with Rielly against Ottawa, did he? But when they were together, Toronto defense usually looked pretty solid.

 

[pgk]

He got a look with everyone but he played most with rielly and looked real good. Sneaky shot great foot speed changes direction quickly great exit passes tape on every time

 

[Battle Lin]

he never seems to be doing anything special but hes never bad, and he has a great shot

 

[Kshahdoo]

he never seems to be doing anything special but hes never bad, and he has a great shot

Yeah, that's his style, always has been playing this way. He looks like the most mistakeless Toronto defenseman.

 

[The_Chosen_One]

Yeah, that's his style, always has been playing this way. He looks like the most mistakeless Toronto defenseman.

He's a lot like Lidstrom in that regard. Doesn't need to move around a lot in order to move the puck. Instead, he's about a sound positional game and making crisp, accurate passes to the forwards entering the offensive zone.

The game doesn't need to slow down when Zaitsev on the ice. Rielly, in contrast, shines the most when skating up with the puck like a fourth, playmaking, forward.

 

[The Assclown]

Yeah, that's his style, always has been playing this way. He looks like the most mistakeless Toronto defenseman.

I do agree. He's probably already the safest d-man we have.

 

[JEI]

He's surprised me in a good way. You never know what your getting when you come over, but so far so good. I imagine he'll be even better once he gets comfortable with the NA ice and language barrier.

 

[SprDaVE]

He's been really good. Exciting to see him throughout the year.

 

[Parkdale]

He's surprised me in a good way. You never know what your getting when you come over, but so far so good. I imagine he'll be even better once he gets comfortable with the NA ice and language barrier.

His English is already pretty good.

 

[Kshahdoo]

His English is already pretty good.

Yeah, he probably already speaks better English, than Datsyuk.

 

[WillTheThrill]

Sucks that he'll be paired with Hunwick for most of the year

 

[Number13]

sucks that he'll be paired with hunwick until the trade deadline

ftfy

 

[Sundinisagod]

Will we have to protect him for the expansion draft? Same for Connor Carrick. Thanks in advance, I realize it's been covered but I don't gots time to go through this thread.

 

[Kelly]

Bobby Mac called him at worst a top 4 guy on Leafs Lunch the other day, could also be a top pairing guy for us.

Now that's a free wallet.

 

[IBeL34f]

Will we have to protect him for the expansion draft? Same for Connor Carrick. Thanks in advance, I realize it's been covered but I don't gots time to go through this thread.

Zaitsev no, Carrick yes.

 

[zeke]

Bobby Mac called him at worst a top 4 guy on Leafs Lunch the other day, could also be a top pairing guy for us.

Now that's a free wallet.

From the first rumours of signing him I've always pegged him as the 2nd coming of Dmitri Mironov.

And nothing he's done since has changed that impression.