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Leafs Sign Zaitsev To One-Year Deal

May 2, 2016, 1:53 PM ET [1118 Comments]
Mike Augello
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
After lengthy speculation connecting Nikita Zaitsev and the Toronto Maple Leafs since last summer, the club announced the signing of the Russian defenseman to a one-year entry level contract on Monday.

The 24-year-old Zaitsev scored eight goals, 18 assists in 46 games with CSKA Moscow of the KHL last season and 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in their run to the Gargarin Cup.

Zaitsev was twice selected to play in the KHL All-Star Game and was named a KHL first-team all-star in 2014-15.



The Moscow, Russia native collected 95 points (32 goals, 63 assists) and 156 penalty minutes in 317 career regular season games for Novosibirsk Sibir and CSKA Moscow.

The 6'2", 196 lb blueliner is expected to play in the upcoming World Championships in Moscow later this month and could be in the mix for Russia’s entry in the World Cup of Hockey in September.

Zaitsev could be in the mix for playing in the top two pairings with Toronto next season, depending on whether GM Lou Lamoriello adds a defenseman via trade or free agency over the summer.

Former NHLer Ryan Whitney (who played last season in the KHL) believes the Leafs have found themselves a hidden gem in Zaitsev.

"Interested to see how he plays in NHL." Whitney said via Twitter on Monday. "He was just as impressive to me in KHL as (Hawks rookie forward) Artemi Panarin was when I was in Russia."

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Listen to Monday's edition of "The Convo" with myself and CTV London's Norman James, as we discuss the Maple Leafs win the NHL Draft Lottery. CTV's Brent Lale drops in to discuss the OHL Championship between London and Niagara.



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