What to do with Nikita Zaitsev....

[Atomos2]

I can't take watching this guy play defence for 5 more years.

Help please! Is there anything we can do??

Click to read more...

 

[therealkoho]

I can't take watching this guy play defence for 5 more years.

Help please! Is there anything we can do??

you might like the Sabres, they have a pretty good one in Dahlin I think

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

He's gone, he has to be

 

[HamiltonNHL]

He's gone, he has to be

He won't be unless we give up some good assets to get a better RIght D in return. I doubt Dubas will do this.

 

[Burnie97]

Out of a cannon

 

[WilliamNylander]

Robidas Island

He shouldn't play any games next year

 

[unitedstars87]

He’s the perfect 6th dman. Nothing more.

 

[DictatorTots427]

IMO he's been playing well lately, still not worth 4.5 but he's clearly a good NHL defenseman. Regardless, he'll need to be moved for cap reasons anyway.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

He won't be unless we give up some good assets to get a better RIght D in return. I doubt Dubas will do this.

They need to sign Marner, Johnsson Kapanen Zaitsev has to go, probably Brown too.

 

[justafan22]

Lou spending 14 million on Zaitsev, Marleau and Hainsey doesn't help!

 

[Leafidelity]

This guys seems to be regressing by the month. They need to revamp the defense, and he needs to be the first one out. Stick a 3rd rounder on him and get him outta here.

 

[Zybalto]

Another solid game last night, good on the PK and the best defensive defender somehow managing the very rare feat to have a positive scoring differential with 0% offensive zone starts.


....but let's get rid of him cause defense isnt this teams problem right?

Move on to your next outrage folks....

 

[Jmo89]

He at least looks a little better with Muzzin and for some reason is better playing a man down. Hopefully this tricks some GM into taking him

He would probably do really well on a third pair, but the team cannot afford that.

 

[member 147413]

Lou spending 14 million on Zaitsev, Marleau and Hainsey doesn't help!

Hainsey for what he brings is a bargain at 3mil

 

[Ulysses31]

hes more of an edge, so athletes use viagara to help with blood flow, or ridilin to focus better.

i would go with a regiment of viagara plus ridilin plus a paleo diet void of any grains and no more vodka before games.

 

[ShaneFalco]

You can’t have him making 4.5 long term here. It’s going to cost us to move him a little

 

[Stand Witness]

hes more of an edge, so athletes use viagara to help with blood flow, or ridilin to focus better.

i would go with a regiment of viagara plus ridilin plus a paleo diet void of any grains and no more vodka before games.

I get it's st patty's day but wtf are you on about

 

[Trapper]

You can’t have him making 4.5 long term here. It’s going to cost us to move him a little

You need to have replacements though before you can just move on.
Our right side is a problem.

 

[sxvnert]

Would try to move him for James Neal then buy Neal out after one year if it doesn't work out.

Leafs do need a LW with size and scoring ability and its possible he could click with either Tavares or Matthews.

 

[93WrapAround]

You needed to create your own thread for such a useless redundant opinion that's likely littered among the other X number of Zaitsev threads? Try the search function next time.

 

[Mickey Marner]

Top-5 upcoming free agent RHD in TOI:

1. Karlsson
2. Stralman
3. Myers
4. Engelland
5. Polak

Should be pretty easy to move Zaitsev when that's what's available. Conversely, difficult to find a competent replacement.

 

[Cor]

Since the Calgary game he's been bad again.

Which is a shame because from Dec 15th to end of February, he's actually gotten a lot better results, and people started to notice and then he's crashed back down again.


That being said, I think it'll be easier to trade him then some here may think. He plays a style that traditionalists like, and most NHL management teams are very traditional thinking. I actually think Vancouver might happen.

 

[HolyCrap]

Two words:

Cannon
Sun

 

[HoweHullOrr]

IMO he's been playing well lately, still not worth 4.5 but he's clearly a good NHL defenseman. Regardless, he'll need to be moved for cap reasons anyway.

Lou spending 14 million on Zaitsev, Marleau and Hainsey doesn't help!

We have talked at length about having a weak blueline, but given our cap constraints, its not going to be an easy problem to fix. With the cap situation and the potential problem with Gardiner departing in the summer, things could be even worse. It means that a lot rides on Lil and/or Sandin stepping up and performing well.

 

[joe dirte]

Top-5 upcoming free agent RHD in TOI:

1. Karlsson
2. Stralman
3. Myers
4. Engelland
5. Polak

Should be pretty easy to move Zaitsev when that's what's available. Conversely, difficult to find a competent replacement.

Yeah it wont be hard to move zaitsev for a late round pick.

Im suspecting marleau and his cap hit somehow disappear. I hear hes developed an allergy lately. And he will spend the year in the press box with management. Maybe it clears up in february.

But they really gotta hope liljegren can hold down a roster spot next year or theyre in trouble on the right side.