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Prospect Info: Nikita Zaitsev Discussion

Stand Witness

Stand Witness

JT
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Oct 25, 2014
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May 2016 update:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs-sign-russian-defenceman-nikita-zaitsev/

Mike Johnston May 2, 2016, 1:44 PM
The Toronto Maple Leafs signed Russian defenceman Nikita Zaitsev to a one-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Monday.
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http://www.tsn.ca/cska-gm-fedorov-says-zaitsev-will-join-leafs-1.471254
NHL
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Apr 13

CSKA GM Fedorov says Zaitsev will join Leafs
TSN.ca Staff

CSKA Moscow general manager Sergei Fedorov says Nikita Zaitsev is bound for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and that the KHL defenceman has had a deal in place since last year.

Fedorov reportedly made the announcement to reporters on Wednesday. CSKA Moscow is currently tied 2-2 after four games in the Gagarin Cup Final of the KHL playoffs.
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According to Friedman. Was always expected but now it sounds like it is a lot closer than before.




UPDATE:

Click to read more...
 
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Randy Randerson

Randy Randerson

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Jul 28, 2016
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BertCorbeau said:
Not sold on him as a top pairing guy per say but he is showing the potential. At the very least it seems the Leafs have found another quality top 4 d-man that would play well with Gardiner on the second pairing.

Hopefully he gels with Mo on the top pairing and they become a legit top pairing tandem!
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If this were to happen, does it change your hopes for this season? Right now I hope the kids look good and that the big 3 all make seamless transitions to the NHL, but that we also come out of this year with a pick that could be Liljegren or Cal Foote....if Zaitsev turns out to be a top pairing guy we probably don't need one of those
 
LeafingTheWay

LeafingTheWay

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May 31, 2014
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SanAndreas said:
Please provide links to these metrics that do not exist.

Also zaitsev is a fine skater. What's this white noise around these parts about him being below average?
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Trouba played on the top pairing for a little less than half the season last year and did amazing in the shot-supression department. His impact on everyone defensively using WOWYS was superb as well. Rielly's on the other hand wasn't (even with Marincin paired with him), but Rielly's offensive generation last season was superb.

You can go search their WOWYS respectively via corsica or stats.hockeyanalysis.
But here are some articles describing his underlying numbers (Hint: they all call him great defensively, something NO one has said about Rielly using advanced stats):
http://jetsnation.ca/2016/6/6/don-t...you-trouba-has-been-getting-better-and-better
http://jetsnation.ca/2016/8/17/jacob-trouba-august-2016
http://www.espn.com/nhl/insider/sto...fenseman-jacob-trouba-best-trade-destinations

And no idea, I think Zaistev's a fine skater. I think he'll fit perfectly beside Gardiner, hopefully we see some chemistry with them next game.
 
Budsfan

Budsfan

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Sep 17, 2006
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Zaitsev already carving out space in Maple Leafs’ core group

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/zaitsev-already-carving-space-maple-leafs-core-group/

TORONTO – The entirety of his NHL experience, to date, covers one pre-season game and a handful of practices.

And yet you already get the sense Nikita Zaitsev is much more than just another hopeful at Toronto Maple Leafs training camp.

The Russian defenceman is a little bit like found money because he arrived as a free agent from the KHL, but he’s quickly carved out a home here. He looked sharp in his exhibition debut against Montreal on Sunday night – drawing praise from coach Mike Babcock – and found himself skating alongside Morgan Rielly at practice on Monday afternoon.

Even though that duo is unlikely to remain intact come the regular season, it’s clear that Zaitsev is already viewed as a core member of this group.
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The_Chosen_One

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Jul 4, 2006
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ChazzMichaelMichaels said:
I've literally never heard that? His skating is always been known as a strength.
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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.
 

LyGuy

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Aug 21, 2013
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The_Chosen_One said:
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.
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What the heck does a bit choppy even mean?
 

The_Chosen_One

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Jul 4, 2006
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LyGuy said:
What the heck does a bit choppy even mean?
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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.
 

Kshahdoo

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

pgk

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Jun 24, 2014
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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

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Dec 18, 2015
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he never seems to be doing anything special but hes never bad, and he has a great shot
 

The_Chosen_One

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

JEI

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Jun 7, 2004
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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.
 
Parkdale

Parkdale

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JEI said:
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.
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His English is already pretty good.
 
Sundinisagod

Sundinisagod

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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

Kelly

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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.
 
zeke

zeke

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Kelly said:
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.
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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.
 
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