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CSKA defender decided to try their hand at one of the most renowned clubs in the NHL, which is going through hard times
Photo: RIA Novosti / Elena Rusko
Defender of the Russian national Nikita Zaitsev continue his career in the National Hockey League (NHL). According to "Izvestia", CSKA player has agreed a three-year contract with the "Toronto Maple Leafs" and start to play for the famous Canadian club with the season-2016/17. On the transition Zaitsev will be announced at the end of the final series of the Gagarin Cup.
Now "Maple Leaves" experiencing hard times. 13-time winner of the Stanley Cup three years in a row can not go in the NHL playoffs, and this season proved to be perhaps the most dreadful in their history. The team finished the regular season in last place, winning only 29 wins and 53 defeats. "Maple Leafs" did not drop to the bottom of the standings since 1985. To remedy the situation, the general manager of "Toronto" Lou Lamorello intends to seriously reshape the composition. And one of the first newcomers will be exactly Nikita Zaitsev.
In the 24 years Zaitsev is the leader of the defense of CSKA, one of the best clubs in the KHL, which is now fighting for the Gagarin Cup. Moreover, Nikita - one of the main characters of this play-off. It is not only well fulfills its direct responsibilities, but also shows excellent performance. In Zaitsev 16 Gagarin Cup matches, scored 13 points for the "goal plus pass" system. And in the final confrontation with Magnitogorsk "Metallurgist" CSKA defender even scored yet in every meeting.
Zaitsev - one of the most brilliant generation of players who won the 2011 World Youth Championship. Now he serves and for the national team of Russia, and in the opinion of the fans is one of the brightest stars of the CHL. Chief manager of CSKA Moscow, Sergei Fedorov understands that keep Zaitsev will be very difficult. "I think Nikita try their hand at the ocean - Fedorov said last year. - We want him to leave, but we understand that another chance to break into the NHL Nikita will not. We will accept any decision. "
In Zaitseva should have no problems with adaptation in the best league in the world. He is fluent in English and is engaged in physical training every summer the famous coach Gary Roberts with NHL stars Stemkos Stephen and Connor McDavid. However, Nikita still has to get used to playing small venues enhaelovskih, to the new requirements of the coaching staff and all will have to fight for a place if not in the starting lineup, the first-second five team for sure.
Interestingly, in addition Zaitsev in "Toronto" may be and Alexander Radulov. The contract with CSKA Moscow striker ends April 30, 2016, and the next day he becomes a free agent. In addition to "Maple Leaf" interest in his person show "New York Islanders" and "New York Rangers".
We add that the color of "Toronto" is already protected by two Russians: 22-year-old striker Nikita openers and 20-year-old defender Rinat Valiev. However, while they are no longer playing still in the farm club, "Maple Leafs". In the season-2015/16 for the first team, they had a 23 match for two.
