Speculation: What ever happened to Zaitsev?

[ironrhcp]

I think it’s the fact both he and Gardiner are struggling together so it’s amplified everything

anyone they put him with struggles. Remember when Rielly was with him last year? That was awful

 

[Slyfox]

Stop blaming Gardiner. Should we blame Rielly last year then when he struggled with Zaitsev? Everyone does worse with Zaitsev. The eye test and stats back it up.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Stop blaming Gardiner. Should we blame Rielly last year then when he struggled with Zaitsev? Everyone does worse with Zaitsev. The eye test and stats back it up.

The problem is he's being asked to be a stabilizing Hainsey type for Gardiner but he's just not suited to that. He needs a partner who can do that for him. He also should really be sheltered until he feels confident and comfortable out there

 

[BigGulpsEh]

Stop blaming Gardiner. Should we blame Rielly last year then when he struggled with Zaitsev? Everyone does worse with Zaitsev. The eye test and stats back it up.

Defensively Gardiner is an issue. Z playing with him doesn’t help with his struggles.

 

[Cap'n Flavour]

The problem is he's being asked to be a stabilizing Hainsey type for Gardiner but he's just not suited to that. He needs a partner who can do that for him. He also should really be sheltered until he feels confident and comfortable out there

Why did we sign a guy for 7 years if he needs to be sheltered and given a better partner than himself to do anything useful?

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Why did we sign a guy for 7 years if he needs to be sheltered and given a better partner than himself to do anything useful?

We don't know if he'll always need to be sheltered. Just right now that he's only a sophomore and had a pretty tough injury. Besides, he might be able to do a lot of good in a favorable situation.

 

[Clark4Ever]

He's clearly not regained his form prior to the injury. It will take some time, but I think he can eventually revert to the reliable top 4 defenceman he was last season.

 

[darrylsittler27]

I used to think Zaitsev was an over pay at $4.5M, then Benning signed Gudbransson to $4M/ yr and I realized it was a bargain.

 

[Tak7]

Why did we sign a guy for 7 years if he needs to be sheltered and given a better partner than himself to do anything useful?

Because he had all the leverage (KHL) in negotiations, and the Leafs thought they were buying low on a player who was onlly going to trend upwards

 

[Polaris1010]

Babcock’s ‘keep grinding’ message works for Leafs, curlers | Toronto Star

• The Maple Leafs have won 10 of their last 12 games.
• The Maple Leafs have also run their record to 14-7-3 in games following losses.
• The Maple Leafs have a 18-3-5 (.692) record in one-goal games, which is the NHL’s best winning percentage in one-goal games.

18-3 in one-goal games? Holy shit!

Okay, how bad is the Leafs defense? How much are they really struggling? 18-3 in one-goal games is good.

Just think about it, when Ziatsev was hurt, two games back to back Rielly made a miscue to loose those games. The Leafs could be 20-1 in one-goal games, which is near perfect.

The pessimists ... take note please!

 

[crump]

Still getting back into stretch run condition. Injuries sometimes linger longer, I think Rielly wasn't great for a long time after his leg injury and we didn't throw him out with the bath water. He'll be hitting his stride in a few more games. Still in the top 30 in the league for blocked shots despite playing 15 -17 games fewer than many on the list. Not worried about Zaitsev. Contract is irrelevant to anything right now.

 

[Tak7]

The Leafs really need him to settle down and find his game here, down the stretch.

He hasn't looked very good since his injury return, and I thought he had a really poor weekend - especially in Pittsburgh.

Given how light the Leafs are on the blueline, they really need Zaitsev to figure it out in a hurry.

 

[nsleaf]

Ankle injuries are tough to recover from, just ask that D guy in Ottawa. Not an excuse, but a possible reason. Hope he picks it up for playoffs.

 

[TheRealChuckWoods]

Unfortunately due to this defence core needing to rely heavily on Zaitsev, he likely wont heal up completely until the offseason.

Hes battling and hes having some off games, but the simple fact is that he WILL be a Top 4 defender for this team for years to come and is being compensated like it.

These type of injuries are the most difficult for defenders to overcome mid season.

I am not concerned in terms of the long term, but I do have my concerns about his current work load. Hes absolutely not at 100% and I doubt anyone denies it.

Unfortunately this team needs him for this playoff push, even if hes at 70%

 

[Wendelstache]

Looking better the last few games but still doesn't look 100%.
Hopefully, he can recover in time for the playoffs...

 

[A1LeafNation]

Babcock’s ‘keep grinding’ message works for Leafs, curlers | Toronto Star

• The Maple Leafs have won 10 of their last 12 games.
• The Maple Leafs have also run their record to 14-7-3 in games following losses.
• The Maple Leafs have a 18-3-5 (.692) record in one-goal games, which is the NHL’s best winning percentage in one-goal games.

18-3 in one-goal games? Holy ****!

Okay, how bad is the Leafs defense? How much are they really struggling? 18-3 in one-goal games is good.

Just think about it, when Ziatsev was hurt, two games back to back Rielly made a miscue to loose those games. The Leafs could be 20-1 in one-goal games, which is near perfect.

The pessimists ... take note please!

Well to be fair, if its a one goal game and leafs are down, Babcock pulls the goalie to ensure its not a one goal game by the end of regulation.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

As of right now he’s a solid #4

Has potential to be a #2/3 guy.

 

[Havoc]

Zaitsev is sick he's just playing scared this season. He has absolutely zero confidence. No clue what's going on with him.

 

[hullsy47]

Defensively Gardiner is an issue. Z playing with him doesn’t help with his struggles.

u watch zaitsev play live ,hes very smart ,just tries to do too much ,but he knows the game ,hes tough too

 

[Brock Radunske]

He must still be hurt because he looks horrible every game.
Like, currently he's a 5/6.

 

[rent free]

Babcock’s ‘keep grinding’ message works for Leafs, curlers | Toronto Star

• The Maple Leafs have won 10 of their last 12 games.
• The Maple Leafs have also run their record to 14-7-3 in games following losses.
• The Maple Leafs have a 18-3-5 (.692) record in one-goal games, which is the NHL’s best winning percentage in one-goal games.

18-3 in one-goal games? Holy ****!

Okay, how bad is the Leafs defense? How much are they really struggling? 18-3 in one-goal games is good.

Just think about it, when Ziatsev was hurt, two games back to back Rielly made a miscue to loose those games. The Leafs could be 20-1 in one-goal games, which is near perfect.

The pessimists ... take note please!

Why did you leave out the 5? It's 18-3-5 not 18-3. The real record would lead to 18-8 which is much more realistic that 18-3.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

He must still be hurt because he looks horrible every game.
Like, currently he's a 5/6.

I don't think 5/6 defensemen play 22:36 a game on average, a lot of which are tough defensive matchups and PK. He's handled both of them well.

Right now, he's playing like a 3/4 more than the 2/3 he's been capable of doing in the past. The problem is that Babcock has asked Zaitsev to play like a high end shut down defenseman when maybe that's not what he is, especially not when he was dealing with injuries and inconsistencies (especially from Gardiner, who was even less suited for the role he was given).

An ideal role for Zaitsev is 2nd pairing who can handle top PK minutes and split the tough matchups with another good pairing. All the while having a partner who he does not need to shelter defensively (like he has had to often do with Gardiner) so he can take some risks offensively, which is also part of his game. That could very well be why he's not doing all that great; he's not used to having to be a Hainsey for someone. It's not his style, so it's a little bit unnatural for him. Maybe he can develop into that, but I'd rather he be a good two-way guy who does not have a pure offensive guy beside him than have to be an anchor.

Maybe working with Rielly is worth another shot. Both can take the freedom they want without having to worry about their partner not covering them when they need to.

 

[Brock Radunske]

I don't think 5/6 defensemen play 22:36 a game on average, a lot of which are tough defensive matchups and PK. He's handled both of them well.

Right now, he's playing like a 3/4 more than the 2/3 he's been capable of doing in the past. The problem is that Babcock has asked Zaitsev to play like a high end shut down defenseman when maybe that's not what he is, especially not when he was dealing with injuries and inconsistencies (especially from Gardiner, who was even less suited for the role he was given).

An ideal role for Zaitsev is 2nd pairing who can handle top PK minutes and split the tough matchups with another good pairing. All the while having a partner who he does not need to shelter defensively (like he has had to often do with Gardiner) so he can take some risks offensively, which is also part of his game. That could very well be why he's not doing all that great; he's not used to having to be a Hainsey for someone. It's not his style, so it's a little bit unnatural for him. Maybe he can develop into that, but I'd rather he be a good two-way guy who does not have a pure offensive guy beside him than have to be an anchor.

Maybe working with Rielly is worth another shot. Both can take the freedom they want without having to worry about their partner not covering them when they need to.

I know he is a top-4 guy when he's healthy but regardless of how much he's been playing, he hasn't looked good.
He said himself that he's 90% so I don't know why they'd bring him back now. Foot injuries tend to linger if they aren't managed well and we need him 100% for the playoffs.
I have to think they know what they're doing but in my viewings, he's looked like shit since he's been back.

 

[Zybalto]

Zaitsev and Gardiner were our best pairing last night. Just thought I should point that out.

 

[Damisoph]

Idk I think he's been alright, working out the kinks after being injured for a while. The kid's just solid.