Player Discussion RD Nikita Zaitsev

[Xspyrit]

Wolanin and DeMelo coming back is scary

Chabot-DeMelo
Wolanin-Zaitsev
Boro-Hainsey
Lajoie/Jaros/Englund

3rd pairing has to go into tank commander mode

 

[FolignoQuantumLeap]

I can’t think of one reason to dislike Zaitsev.

He got rid of Ceci, gets paid less than his cap hit, was our first Russian in a bazillion years, plays pretty good hockey, is movable through the line up and keeps his drama to himself.

He injured himself blocking multiple shots and our D has been a Chabot show ever since. The guy competes and clearly we’re better with him than without.

Thanks Nikita! Happy you’re back!

The Sens with Zaitsev are 13-17-2 or about a 72 point pace.

Sens without Nikita Zaitsev 3-2-3 or about a 92 point pace.

Welcome back, Tank commander.

 

[Sweatred]

Wolanin and DeMelo coming back is scary

Chabot-DeMelo
Wolanin-Zaitsev
Boro-Hainsey
Lajoie/Jaros/Englund

3rd pairing has to go into tank commander mode

I like Demelo but he is probably more valuable traded #tank.

 

[OD99]

Wolanin and DeMelo coming back is scary

Chabot-DeMelo
Wolanin-Zaitsev
Boro-Hainsey
Lajoie/Jaros/Englund

3rd pairing has to go into tank commander mode

Bran sent to Belleville?

 

[Xspyrit]

Bran sent to Belleville?

Yeah and it's even worse if he replaces Hainsey

 

[Cosmix]

Wolanin and DeMelo coming back is scary

Chabot-DeMelo
Wolanin-Zaitsev
Boro-Hainsey
Lajoie/Jaros/Englund

3rd pairing has to go into tank commander mode

Yes, I agree.

Wolanin will take some time to get into game shape and prove he is an NHL level Defensemen, which I think he will be. DeMelo will be a good addition, but he is not first or second pair level, so he will not be a major factor. Hainsey is slow and on his last legs, probably will retire in the next year or so.

But the adds will likely improve the defense and not aid the tank.

If the GM was aiming to tank, trading some of the pending UFAs now would make sense to get a higher draft pick and improve the probability of getting a top 3 pick. That is what I would do.

 

[GCK]

I like Demelo but he is probably more valuable traded #tank.

I like Demelo on the top pair. He allow Chabot to be Chabot.

 

[Sweatred]

I like Demelo on the top pair. He allow Chabot to be Chabot.

ya- prob worth 4-5 pts at least and a couple draft spots.

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

The Sens with Zaitsev are 13-17-2 or about a 72 point pace.

Sens without Nikita Zaitsev 3-2-3 or about a 92 point pace.

Welcome back, Tank commander.

Lmao

 

[AchtzehnBaby]

The Sens with Zaitsev are 13-17-2 or about a 72 point pace.

Sens without Nikita Zaitsev 3-2-3 or about a 92 point pace.

Welcome back, Tank commander.

LOL

32 game sample vs 8 game sample - sounds about right.

 

[Xspyrit]

LOL

32 game sample vs 8 game sample - sounds about right.

Haven't you heard? Matt Kassian is the greatest player in Sens history

 

[Larionov]

Please, for the love of God, let this be the end of Player 29 on the active roster. Dude is softer than church music, and gift wraps at least one goal a night for the opposition...

 

[Cosmix]

I like Demelo on the top pair. He allow Chabot to be Chabot.

I was hoping to see a Chabot - Karlsson top pair to totally dominate opponents with a 5 man attack. Alas.

Having two highly offensive defensemen would create a nightmare for opposing teams to defend against if the forwards were very good offensively. At that time, they would have been Duchene, Stone and Dzingle.

 

[TheDebater]

I was hoping to see a Chabot - Karlsson top pair to totally dominate opponents with a 5 man attack. Alas.

Having two highly offensive defensemen would create a nightmare for opposing teams to defend against if the forwards were very good offensively. At that time, they would have been Duchene, Stone and Dzingle.

You are basically describing the San Jose Sharks with Karlsson and Burns, how is that working out for them this year?

 

[FolignoQuantumLeap]

LOL

32 game sample vs 8 game sample - sounds about right.

Are we counting the 250+ games of Zaitsev dragging his team down yet or is it too early? Need 4 or 5 more years just to be sure? He truly is the new Ceci.

 

[Ice-Tray]

Are we counting the 250+ games of Zaitsev dragging his team down yet or is it too early? Need 4 or 5 more years just to be sure? He truly is the new Ceci.

Nice to see that you’ve found your next ‘project’.

 

[SensFan1010]

Has the russian govt taken this guy to jail yet?

 

[Matsens15]

Lol i like zaitsev he is no way close to being the new ceci come on

 

[Cosmix]

You are basically describing the San Jose Sharks with Karlsson and Burns, how is that working out for them this year?

it might have been great in other years?

 

[GCK]

I was hoping to see a Chabot - Karlsson top pair to totally dominate opponents with a 5 man attack. Alas.

Having two highly offensive defensemen would create a nightmare for opposing teams to defend against if the forwards were very good offensively. At that time, they would have been Duchene, Stone and Dzingle.

Better win the face off with those two on the ice together.

 

[aragorn]

And we are probably stuck with this guy for a few more seasons, I'd don't see him as tradable anytime soon with that contract.

 

[FolignoQuantumLeap]

From the Athletic's worst NHL contract list:

 

[TheDebater]

From the Athletic's worst NHL contract list:

View attachment 375341

Really though? If he is overpaid, it is probably by 1 million per year max.

He really has not been that bad in his time here. He has not been "great", but he barely makes mistakes, he holds his own on the ice, most of the time he is barely noticeable anyway (that is both good and bad) and for a team that has plenty of cap space.

The only issue is probably that 4th year, but by then, he might be a cheap risk for a team looking to acquire a depth d-man to fill a role for a season and possibly a playoff run so we will easily get a draft pick out of it.

 

[BondraTime]

Really though? If he is overpaid, it is probably by 1 million per year max.

He really has not been that bad in his time here. He has not been "great", but he barely makes mistakes, he holds his own on the ice, most of the time he is barely noticeable anyway (that is both good and bad) and for a team that has plenty of cap space.

The only issue is probably that 4th year, but by then, he might be a cheap risk for a team looking to acquire a depth d-man to fill a role for a season and possibly a playoff run so we will easily get a draft pick out of it.

Barely makes mistakes?

Serious?

This is one of those times where the eye test and advanced stats line up nearly perfectly

 

[FolignoQuantumLeap]

Really though? If he is overpaid, it is probably by 1 million per year max.

He really has not been that bad in his time here. He has not been "great", but he barely makes mistakes, he holds his own on the ice, most of the time he is barely noticeable anyway (that is both good and bad) and for a team that has plenty of cap space.

The only issue is probably that 4th year, but by then, he might be a cheap risk for a team looking to acquire a depth d-man to fill a role for a season and possibly a playoff run so we will easily get a draft pick out of it.

We're watching different players. Zaitsev is one of the highest "mistakes per minute" guy I watch on a regular basis. He's constantly unable to make easy plays that create havoc in our end, just like his predecessor in Ceci. There's a reason why Zaitsev's teammates always fare better away from him.