i will ask the question a different way

would you trade Zeitsev 1 for 1 for any of these players?

Owen Tippett
Tyson Jost
Mikko Rantanen
Nick Ritchie
Valeri Nichushkin
Slater Koekkoek
Jonas Brodin
Dylan McIlrath
Magnus Paajarvi
Cody Hodgson
- senstroll

Yes.

Maybe also Ritchie.

I am loving this.

Edit:

It's not that bad of a contract.... but comitting 7 years to a player you've seen play one season in the NHL is a little risky.

Still, he's already an important part of a defensive corps that needs all the help it can get.
- Scabeh


I ain't looking too foolish there.
- Scabeh

Meh. Saying the Leafs need defensive help, is like saying Canada is north of Mexico. #KnownFact

Nichushkin sucks.
- AdamFrench

I'll admit I didn't follow much of him once he bolted to the KHL.

That bad? He looked pretty good before leaving.

Meh. Saying the Leafs need defensive help, is like saying Canada is north of Mexico. #KnownFact
- PatC80

I'll admit I didn't follow much of him once he bolted to the KHL.

That bad? He looked pretty good before leaving.
- Scabeh

Nichushkin was horrible before leaving. That's why he left.

I'll admit I didn't follow much of him once he bolted to the KHL.

That bad? He looked pretty good before leaving.
- Scabeh

He sucked in the NHL. He was gifted Seguin and Benn his rookie year and fell off a cliff when people realized he has one move.


Skate fast in a straight line and shoot from 10 feet out.

If he wasn't 6'4, he wouldn't have even been drafted.

Meh. Saying the Leafs need defensive help, is like saying Canada is north of Mexico. #KnownFact
- PatC80

next relocation (carolina?) to Mexico DF I have heard!

The guy played on a line with 84 and 79 points + PP time and only scored 34. People complain about Hyman...

yup, there were some concerns over the contract length.
but the Average Annual Salary was considered as 'great deal' by virtually all.
- MaximusAurelius

As a Leaf fan, I was hoping and expecting Zaitsev would improve. And I was wrong - his numbers this year were horrible. The one thing as a fan that I hate seeing, is an athlete signing a significant big contract and then under performing. He could still improve, but I don't think he is a top four guy after seeing what he did this year.

Just as humble side note, humans abiltity to learn, comes from improving on their mistakes....thanks for pointing this out, a very kind jesture.

As a Leaf fan, I was hoping and expecting Zaitsev would improve. And I was wrong - his numbers this year were horrible. The one thing as a fan that I hate seeing, is an athlete signing a significant big contract and then under performing. He could still improve, but I don't think he is a top four guy after seeing what he did this year.

Just as humble side note, humans abiltity to learn, comes from improving on their mistakes....thanks for pointing this out, a very kind jesture.
- winsix

Honestly I think you're more right in your last year's view on Zaitsev than on your current opinion on Zaitsev.

He's a good 2nd pairing D-man, and that contract is ok. (as for average salary).
He'll be better next season when being paired with Dermott on 2nd D-pairing.

The clear issue for the Leafs is Gardiner and not having a RHD to play with Rielly on top d pairing.

So seems like an easy conclusion to trade Gardiner + picks/prospects for a RHD.
Not alot of options around though.

I'll admit I didn't follow much of him once he bolted to the KHL.

That bad? He looked pretty good before leaving.
- Scabeh

he was supposed to be the Russian Eric Lindros;

Poor Dallas, all they got was one year of the washed-up, concussed, older Canadian Eric Lindros.

The guy played on a line with 84 and 79 points + PP time and only scored 34. People complain about Hyman...
- AdamFrench

Fine. He sucks!

Fine. He sucks!
- Scabeh

he is still only 23... Maybe he is the guy for "UG's next failed ex-NHL'er" that the Leafs should give $3.9M per year for.

Honestly I think you're more right in your last year's view on Zaitsev than on your current opinion on Zaitsev.

He's a good 2nd pairing D-man, and that contract is ok. (as for average salary).
He'll be better next season when being paired with Dermott on 2nd D-pairing.

The clear issue for the Leafs is Gardiner and not having a RHD to play with Rielly on top d pairing.

So seems like an easy conclusion to trade Gardiner + picks/prospects for a RHD.
Not alot of options around though.
- MaximusAurelius

Seeing the d-man of Nashville and Jets and honestly comparing it to what I see from the Leafs d-men, there is a real lack of size and aggressiveness. From that standpoint, hard to imagine Zaitsev as a top four guy.

he is still only 23... Maybe he is the guy for "UG's next failed ex-NHL'er" that the Leafs should give $3.9M per year for.
- PatC80

Nichuskin-Grigorenko-Yakupov in a few years?

Honestly I think you're more right in your last year's view on Zaitsev than on your current opinion on Zaitsev.

He's a good 2nd pairing D-man, and that contract is ok. (as for average salary).
He'll be better next season when being paired with Dermott on 2nd D-pairing.

The clear issue for the Leafs is Gardiner and not having a RHD to play with Rielly on top d pairing.

So seems like an easy conclusion to trade Gardiner + picks/prospects for a RHD.
Not alot of options around though.
- MaximusAurelius

Next season is a big year for Z. He's allowed to have a softmore slump. He's older than most rookies but this is still the best league in the world and Z had a very grinding role this season. I think he'll bounce back.

Leafs need a top pair RHD.

Reilley - BLANK
Gardiner - Hainsey
Dermott - Zaistev

That's a pretty good core. Gardiner - Hainsey was an amazing pairing when Reilly was out.

Nichuskin-Grigorenko-Yakupov in a few years?
- Scabeh

you sick (insert hurtful cuss words here) ...

Edit: it might work out

Next season is a big year for Z. He's allowed to have a softmore slump. He's older than most rookies but this is still the best league in the world and Z had a very grinding role this season. I think he'll bounce back.

Leafs need a top pair RHD.

Reilley - BLANK
Gardiner - Hainsey
Dermott - Zaistev

That's a pretty good core. Gardiner - Hainsey was an amazing pairing when Reilly was out.
- Schennski

I hope your are right about Z. Can't see any way Gardiner is not traded and soon. Leafs need to get two top four d-men IMO. Not even sure Hainsey belongs in a good top four, although he had a decent season. Gardiner will be booed every time he touches the puck - as was Larry Murphy. Shanahan and managment know this.

Honestly I think you're more right in your last year's view on Zaitsev than on your current opinion on Zaitsev.

He's a good 2nd pairing D-man, and that contract is ok. (as for average salary).
He'll be better next season when being paired with Dermott on 2nd D-pairing.

The clear issue for the Leafs is Gardiner and not having a RHD to play with Rielly on top d pairing.

So seems like an easy conclusion to trade Gardiner + picks/prospects for a RHD.
Not alot of options around though.
- MaximusAurelius

Me and my beautiful wife agree with this 100%!

Next season is a big year for Z. He's allowed to have a softmore slump. He's older than most rookies but this is still the best league in the world and Z had a very grinding role this season. I think he'll bounce back.

Leafs need a top pair RHD.

Reilley - BLANK
Gardiner - Hainsey
Dermott - Zaistev

That's a pretty good core. Gardiner - Hainsey was an amazing pairing when Reilly was out.
- Schennski

Rielly - ??
Dermott - Zaitsev
Gunnarsson - Hainsey
Borgman

I could Leafs bring back pencil neck on a 2y deal

Honestly I think you're more right in your last year's view on Zaitsev than on your current opinion on Zaitsev.

He's a good 2nd pairing D-man, and that contract is ok. (as for average salary).
He'll be better next season when being paired with Dermott on 2nd D-pairing.

The clear issue for the Leafs is Gardiner and not having a RHD to play with Rielly on top d pairing.

So seems like an easy conclusion to trade Gardiner + picks/prospects for a RHD.
Not alot of options around though.
- MaximusAurelius

i'm guessing he played injured and will need surgery. rumors i've seen are his hip.

also needs to eat a few sandwiches during the summer.

Me and my beautiful wife agree with this 100%!



- .OHOH.

??

Rielly - ??
Dermott - Zaitsev
Gunnarsson - Hainsey
Borgman

I could Leafs bring back pencil neck on a 2y deal
- MaximusAurelius

Trouba would look so nice paired with Rielly.

Rielly - Trouba
Dermott - Ristolainen
Borgman - Zaitsev

i'm guessing he played injured and will need surgery. rumors i've seen are his hip.

also needs to eat a few sandwiches during the summer.
- Tumbleweed

Rielly - ??
Dermott - Zaitsev
Gunnarsson - Hainsey
Borgman

I could Leafs bring back pencil neck on a 2y deal
- MaximusAurelius

He's awful, so lets hope not.