[Signing] Nikita Zaitsev agrees to 1-year ELC with Leafs

[Doug Glatt]

https://twitter.com/LeafsPR/status/727190394325360642

One year only. Interesting.

[ericdaoust]

I believe his ELC has to be one year due to his age.

[Doug Glatt]

I believe his ELC has to be one year due to his age.

Makes sense.

Leafs are well on their way here all of the sudden. Hope is alive! Leafs fans can probably take off the brown paper bags now. Except praba. His is part of the uniform. Maybe it comes off if they get Stamkos too.

[JagrBomb]

Makes sense.

Leafs are well on their way here all of the sudden. Hope is alive! Leafs fans can probably take off the brown paper bags now. Except praba. His is part of the uniform. Maybe it comes off if they get Stamkos too.

it's coming off depending what they do in the offseason. definitely looks promising though!

[rtstr]

Fantasy upside?

[Mr. Guru]

Both Gardiner and Reilly don't really have big bombs from the blue line.


And from what I read/youtube Zaitsev has a canon. It wouldn't surprise me if he lands himself on the first pp.

[Mr. Guru]

Fantasy upside like what franson had with the leafs.

[Doug Glatt]

Not a whole lot in the cupboard there aside from Rielly and Gardiner, so there is a role to be had, top 4 and PP. If Stamkos lands there too, the Leafs top 6 Fs and PP looks dangerous for now and the future. Zaitsev could be walking into a really nice situation. However, the inevitable media comparisons with Panarin are absurd.

https://twitter.com/markhmasters/sta...58208532836352

[Eskimo Brother]

Fantasy upside like what franson had with the leafs.

That's probably about where I would peg him points wise as well.
My question would then be, does he hit as much as Franson?

[The Bottlenecker]

Won't get more PP time than Rielly, but could certainly replace Gardiner on that line.

Given his experience in the KHL, it wouldn't surprise me to see him earn 35+ points next year with an improving Toronto squad.

[Big Baby]

I see many people putting Zaitsev ahead of Gardiner. I wouldn't go there quite yet. Gardiner had a great 2nd half especially after Phaneuf left. I will be interested to see what he can do with a full year of Babs without Dion.

[ericdaoust]

I see many people putting Zaitsev ahead of Gardiner.

It's only being mentioned as a possibility. Don't jump to conclusions too quickly.

[Axeman33]

Keep in mind, Panarin had a Patty Kane, Jonathan Toews and the Chicago Blackhawks solid organization to help his adjustment to the NHL. For every Panarin, there's a Sergey Kalinin. Probably more Kalinin's than Panarins actually.

Who does Zaitsev have to rely on for his adjustment? I think the expectations on him in his first season in NA should be kept in check.

[Big Baby]

Keep in mind, Panarin had a Patty Kane, Jonathan Toews and the Chicago Blackhawks solid organization to help his adjustment to the NHL. For every Panarin, there's a Sergey Kalinin. Probably more Kalinin's than Panarins actually.

Who does Zaitsev have to rely on for his adjustment? I think the expectations on him in his first season in NA should be kept in check.

Leo Komarov. Lol

But maybe?

[Axeman33]

Leo Komarov. Lol

But maybe?

I am thinking about the Russian factor, but also the adjustments to playing in NA and the different style of play for a defenseman. There's an adjustment period that comes with that.

My point being, it's not an easy adjustment especially when you don't have some solid veterans to lead/help you. Just ask Anton Belov how he made out in Edmonton his one and only year here after being a dominate Dman in the KHL. Lots of examples of failed projects who have come over.

That's why I keep my expectations in check when it comes to these guys coming over.