RD Nikita Zaitsev (2010 undrafted; 2016 signed, TOR)

[Blackhawkswincup]

Nikita Zaitsev | CSKA Moskva, KHL
RHS Defensemen | 6'2" 196 lbs
Born: October 29, 1991, Moscow, RUS

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=34773


Anyone have any info on this kid? Apparently the Hawks like him.

Click to read more...

 

[Alessandro Seren Rosso]

Here there is an interview I've translated recently
http://www.russianhockeyfans.com/pr...nterviews-with-flyers-and-blackhawks-207.html

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Here there is an interview I've translated recently
http://www.russianhockeyfans.com/pr...nterviews-with-flyers-and-blackhawks-207.html

Yeah that is the one you posted on our board correct?

I am more curious of how he plays game

Who would you say he is similiar to in NHL

 

[Darius Dangleaitis]

Is he related to Vasily?

That would be awesome.

 

[Alessandro Seren Rosso]

Is he related to Vasily?

That would be awesome.

As I said on the Hawks' board, this question will be asked to him 10 million time lol.
Zaytsev is just a very common surname in Russia

 

[Alessandro Seren Rosso]

Yeah that is the one you posted on our board correct?

I am more curious of how he plays game

Who would you say he is similiar to in NHL

Reliable defenseman, good skating, very good first pass, has to use more his size and play more aggressively. He's not yet ready to cross the pond, he needs to be more confident as well.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Reliable defenseman, good skating, very good first pass, has to use more his size and play more aggressively. He's not yet ready to cross the pond, he needs to be more confident as well.

Those 2 traits would probably explain the Hawks interest

Most of our defenseman coming thru system are good skaters/offensive

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Is he related to Vasily?

That would be awesome.

I asked same thing on our board

 

[JawandaPuck]

Elliotte Friedman
"There's a Russian prospect coming overseas next year, Nikita Zaitsev. His agent Todd Diamond said today he's definitely coming over. There will be teams going over to see him in a tournament this week: Philadelphia, Toronto, L.A., Vancouver, Calgary among those teams that looked at him. And there will be more. Already some teams going over to meet with him and see where his interests are."

 

[GBLeaf]

He visited the Leafs in the off-season. Was very impressed with how he was treated apparently.

Although you'd assume the $$$ will be what matter this summer.

 

[FLYguy3911]

He visited the Leafs in the off-season. Was very impressed with how he was treated apparently.

Although you'd assume the $$$ will be what matter this summer.

Not really. He's only 24. He's still limited by entry-level contract restrictions.

 

[Appleyard]

He visited the Leafs in the off-season. Was very impressed with how he was treated apparently.

Although you'd assume the $$$ will be what matter this summer.

The dollar should not really matter actually.

He will be signing an ELC as he is 24.

So the contract will be:

1yr, $925,000... the only variance will be bonuses.

 

[GBLeaf]

Ah, really? I didn't realise it affected undrafted players.

Can definitely see why the Hawks are interested then.

 

[Pi]

Not really. He's only 24. He's still limited by entry-level contract restrictions.

Lou doesn't give ELC bonuses so the Leafs won't be on him unless he wants to be here regardless of that.

 

[Mathew Barzal]

He visited the Leafs in the off-season. Was very impressed with how he was treated apparently.

Although you'd assume the $$$ will be what matter this summer.

Sounds like Benning has this in the bag then.

 

[McMatthews]

From his comments after visiting Toronto, I would be really surprised if he doesn't end up as a Maple Leaf.

 

[Hasbro]

Is he related to Vasily?

That would be awesome.

Shame he isn't a sniper if that is the case.

 

[LeafGrief]

Lou doesn't give ELC bonuses so the Leafs won't be on him unless he wants to be here regardless of that.

Lou might change his policy for a 24 year old free agent.

 

[snizzbone*]

Lou might change his policy for a 24 year old free agent.

doubt it, but Zaitsev wouldn't be coming to the NHL if all he wanted was a fat pay check. He'd want to go to the best situation for him and from what we know he seems to be interested in Toronto and Toronto has one of the best coaches + lots of playing time available.

 

[PsychoDad]

doubt it, but Zaitsev wouldn't be coming to the NHL if all he wanted was a fat pay check. He'd want to go to the best situation for him and from what we know he seems to be interested in Toronto and Toronto has one of the best coaches + lots of playing time available.

Why wouldn't he? The rouble lost half it's value in last year, so a lot of players would earn more in NHL than in KHL if they are any good.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Shame he isn't a sniper if that is the case.

He is though.

 

[CapInSask]

Good two way player, right handed shot, can we please get him in WSH??? Get Ovy, Kuz and Orlov to convince him to come. Could play alongside Orlov for a deadly pairing.

 

[ChazzMichaelMichaels]

Does anyone think he can step into the NHL as a top 4 D-man right away? Who has seen him enough to give a legit scouting report on him?

 

[Shwaguy*]

It sounds like he is a top 4 guy already as long as he does well on the small ice.

 

[Byron Bitz]

Lou doesn't give ELC bonuses so the Leafs won't be on him unless he wants to be here regardless of that.

Lou isn't the boss, Shanahan is the boss. Lou is also not gonna manage the leafs the same way he managed the Devils, they are two different animals, leafs are a cap team where as the Devils have an internal cap.