Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports that KHL defenseman Nikita Zaitsev is telling teams that his intention is to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs next season.
The 24-year-old Zaitsev has been connected to the Leafs since visiting Toronto last summer and speaking with Team President Brendan Shanahan and head coach Mike Babcock.
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The pain that Mike Babcock predicted when hired as Toronto Maple Leafs head coach last May was apparent at the start of the season, when the club went 1-7-2 in the opening month and has reappeared in January with losses in six of the seven last games.
The latest was a dreary 1-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes at Air Canada Center on Thursday, with Jordan Staal scoring the game winner at 2:54 of overtime.
The contest matched Babcock and former assistant Bill Peters, whose clubs play the same puck possession style and made for a contest almost bereft on any quality offensive chances in spite of eight combined power plays and 76 shots on goal.
The Leafs were shutout for the second time during this seven-game stretch and have only tallied eight goals since the loss of leading scorer James van Riemsdyk two weeks ago.
"What are you expecting? Babcock said following the game. “I think these forwards are doing what they do. How many of these guys really score?"
Other than van Riemsdyk, the decent first half numbers put up by Tyler Bozak and unexpected production of Leo Komarov and P-A Parenteau, the Leafs offense has inconsistent and anemic.
Their victory in Philadelphia was due to defenseman Roman Polak and Matt Hunwick scoring their first goals of the season.
Veteran Joffrey Lupul has 10 goals, but just two in the last 16 games, while Daniel Winnik, Michael Grabner and Shawn Matthias have combined for just 14 goals.
For all the plaudits being hurled at Nazem Kadri by the head coach and GM Lou Lamoriello, the 25-year-old has just eight goals and a 4.5% shooting percentage in spite of leading all Toronto forwards in average TOI.
With van Riemsdyk out until early-to-mid March, the Leafs scoring woes are unlikely to improve, which will make the losses pile up and increase the chances of Lamoriello being very busy leading up to the February 29th trade deadline.
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Leafs prospect William Nylander did not play in the 5-4 Toronto Marlies win over Syracuse at Ricoh Coliseum on Wednesday and it is unlikely that the 19-year-old center will get back into the lineup for either of the weekend games against the Utica Devils.
Nylander (who has not played since December 26) participated in a non-contact practice with the Marlies on Friday according to Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston, but will have to practice without restrictions before making his return.
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Is there trade interest in Dion Phaneuf and would the Leafs consider moving him prior to the deadline?
According to a report earlier in the week from The Fourth Period Toronto and Dallas have had discussions regarding the 30-year-old defenseman, who has five more years remaining at $7 Million per season.
Phaneuf has been solid in a slightly reduced role this season and the Stars are in need of a legitimate top four defenseman. Two Toronto scouts were reportedly took in the Stars game against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, while a Dallas scout was in Philadelphia for the Leafs 3-2 win over the Flyers.
Toronto would likely have to retain some of Phaneuf’s salary to get a good return or take back a salary in the deal, but Dallas makes sense as a trading partner with defenseman Alex Goligoski and Jason Demers potentially leaving via free agency this summer and the Stars in the bottom third of the league in goals against.
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