Zaitsev doesn't look bad

[Kshahdoo]

Don't wanna jinx anybody, but Zaitsev looks exactly as he did at WHC and WCH, i.e. the best defenseman on his team.

Of course, it's just 8 games, but he isn't a kid and plays the way he usually plays. He isn't flashy, but reliable in his own end and has the most points out of all Toronto defensemen.

Considering he shoots right, and if he keeps playing this way, he's going to command a good salary rise the next postseason.

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[TheDoldrums]

Carrick has been the best defenseman on the Leafs this season.

 

[DopeyFish]

Really like his play, but he seems tentative on using his offense at the moment.

Impresses me just how good he's been compared to Rielly who we all want to take the next step but hasn't quite yet

 

[KPower]

Carrick has been the best defenseman on the Leafs this season.

Well looking at your picture it's obvious you don't have eyes, so all is forgiven.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Carrick has been the best defenseman on the Leafs this season.

He doesn't look bad, but whoever he plays with, it's always the other guy, who carries the most of defensive responsibilities.

 

[Albus Dumbledore]

zaitsev and gards have been the best imo. Rielly has been up and down im sure he will settle down and be a rock in his own end. carrick has been meh.

 

[LeafsNation149]

Carrick has been the best defenseman on the Leafs this season.

No... Stop...

 

[Paradoc]

Carrick has been the best defenseman on the Leafs this season.

Carrick has been bad defensively. Zaitsev is definitely the leafs best dman this season.

 

[TheDoldrums]

Carrick has been bad defensively. Zaitsev is definitely the leafs best dman this season.

The underlying numbers tell a completely different story. Carrick's advanced stats are ridiculously good and Zaitsev gives up as many high danger scoring chances as Hunwick.

 

[Sypher04]

The underlying numbers tell a completely different story. Carrick's advanced stats are ridiculously good and Zaitsev gives up as many high danger scoring chances as Hunwick.

If thats true, its just proof the advanced stats aren't worth a damn. Its very clear that Zaitsev has been the best Leafs defenseman so far. Then Rielly, then Gardiner.

 

[Semantics]

The underlying numbers tell a completely different story. Carrick's advanced stats are ridiculously good and Zaitsev gives up as many high danger scoring chances as Hunwick.

Gee, I wonder if that might have something to do with the fact he was paired with Hunwick for 6 games.

 

[TheBigThree]

Zaitsev makes big mistakes too but overall he is the best D on the leafs. Light years better than rielly.

 

[Man Bear Pig]

Zaitsev makes big mistakes too but overall he is the best D on the leafs. Light years better than rielly.

He is not light years better than Rielly. If Zaitsev were on another team I wouldn't even consider dealing Rielly for him.

 

[Mitchy]

He indeed hasn't looked bad. His underlying numbers aren't great, but as stated before that could just be a result of playing with Hunwick (I haven't checked his WOWYs, so can't state for sure). He wasn't playing with Hunwick today and they were good, fwiw.

One thing I'd like him to improve is his zone exits. He seems a bit Polakish at times since he dumps the puck out of the zone a lot of times. I'd like to see him make some more controlled zone exits. He definitely has the ability to excel at that and I've seen him do it well in his non-Leaf games. He's also a very good passer, so far from what I've seen.

Anyway, Zaitsev isn't our best d-man. Our best defenceman is Jake Gardiner.

 

[57special]

In the one game we played them i thought he was their best Dman. Nothing spectacular, just good.

 

[Atas2000]

Really like his play, but he seems tentative on using his offense at the moment.

Impresses me just how good he's been compared to Rielly who we all want to take the next step but hasn't quite yet

Zaytsev is 25.

 

[McMatthews]

Nikita Zaitsev has been the best defenceman on the Maple Leafs so far.

He's a solid #2 or #3 defenceman on most teams.

 

[Sniper99]

Zaitsev makes big mistakes too but overall he is the best D on the leafs. Light years better than rielly.

whoa ease up there. Zaitsev is a good dman but hes not even close to Light Years better than Reilly.

 

[Kshahdoo]

whoa ease up there. Zaitsev is a good dman but hes not even close to Light Years better than Reilly.

Rielly is way flashier, that's why people think, he's great. It's like Subban vs Weber. The former is a highlight reel machine, and the latter is just more reliable and effective.

 

[The Kessel Run]

Zaitsev has a great 2-way game and he plays with some jam.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Carrick has been the best defenseman on the Leafs this season.

lol

anyways back to seriousness, Zaitsev has been Leafs best dman and you can tell there is an untapped major offensive side to his game that he hasn't unleashed yet

 

[Tripod]

Don't wanna jinx anybody, but Zaitsev looks exactly as he did at WHC and WCH, i.e. the best defenseman on his team.

Of course, it's just 8 games, but he isn't a kid and plays the way he usually plays. He isn't flashy, but reliable in his own end and has the most points out of all Toronto defensemen.

Considering he shoots right, and if he keeps playing this way, he's going to command a good salary rise the next postseason.

Carrick has been the best defenseman on the Leafs this season.

zaitsev and gards have been the best imo. Rielly has been up and down im sure he will settle down and be a rock in his own end. carrick has been meh.

If thats true, its just proof the advanced stats aren't worth a damn. Its very clear that Zaitsev has been the best Leafs defenseman so far. Then Rielly, then Gardiner.

He indeed hasn't looked bad. His underlying numbers aren't great, but as stated before that could just be a result of playing with Hunwick (I haven't checked his WOWYs, so can't state for sure). He wasn't playing with Hunwick today and they were good, fwiw.

One thing I'd like him to improve is his zone exits. He seems a bit Polakish at times since he dumps the puck out of the zone a lot of times. I'd like to see him make some more controlled zone exits. He definitely has the ability to excel at that and I've seen him do it well in his non-Leaf games. He's also a very good passer, so far from what I've seen.

Anyway, Zaitsev isn't our best d-man. Our best defenceman is Jake Gardiner.

Nikita Zaitsev has been the best defenceman on the Maple Leafs so far.

He's a solid #2 or #3 defenceman on most teams.

Lots of different opinions on who has been the Leafs best D.....yet Rielly was not mentioned. I thought he was going to have a breakout year?

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Lots of different opinions on who has been the Leafs best D.....yet Rielly was not mentioned. I thought he was going to have a breakout year?

ya majority of Leaf fans it seems feel Rielly hasn't been their best dman. Hes been good but definitely not their top guy

 

[Leafsrock95]

Lol at advanced stat nerds put down your calculator and watch the games.

In what world has carrick or gardiner been our best dman. Carrick dont need to explain but gardiner is lost in the d zone and often gets caught wandering around just watching the puck.

 

[gwh]

Zaitsev being the best RHD in leafs was given this year. The roster is weak.

Surprises nobody, but would he be the 1RHD in CHI/Preds?