I disagree.
Zaitsev was really good in the playoffs.

But anyways, I am aware a lot of people didn't like him.
Apart from the salary, the fact that he's Russian contributed to that quite a bit imo.
(there is a lot of anti-Russian sentiment around in Canada/US apparently).
- MaximusAurelius

I never hated Zaitsev. Still don't. He just ain't at all worth the money. Especially on a team that needs more CAP space and D that are better than him.

Bolded- No, not really.

EDIT: Had a word wrong

The year before, Ennis at league minimum scored 12 goals.
- Steven_Seagull

That's the thing I always argue. Every summer there's qulity depth guys loking for work. Why overpay guys who play 5-7 minutes a night? Better to spend it on your stars.

Zaitsev contract still much better than the Johnsson contract.
- MaximusAurelius

What?

Oh ok but when a player happens to be Russian it's anti-Russian feelings
- RogerRoeper

One of the best contracts on the team.
(btw all made possible because of Babcock's involvement - it's him who made sure that Mikheyev would join the Leafs, not Dubas)

you would be right if you would include the matthews' contract as well.
a better negotiator might have been able to close a deal with both (earlier on) for 1-1.5mln AAV less (per contract). That's a 2-3mln total cap saving.
- MaximusAurelius

And Dubas has saved more than that on depth players.


And Matthews was getting an offersheet imo.

I disagree.
Zaitsev was really good in the playoffs.

But anyways, I am aware a lot of people didn't like him.
Apart from the salary, the fact that he's Russian contributed to that quite a bit imo.
(there is a lot of anti-Russian sentiment around in Canada/US apparently).
- MaximusAurelius

Sheer and utter nonsense.

Here's the list of Russian players who have played 80 or more games for the Leafs:

Berezin - fans loved him.

Borschevsky - fans adored him

Karpotsev - nobody hated him

Korolev - neutral. Some may have hated him, but it was probably deserved.

Kulemin - fans over-rated him

Markov - fans loved him, to the point of ignoring his raging alcoholism

Mironov - generally fans liked him

Mogilny - fans loved him

David Schriner - Hockey Hall of Famer. Yeah, TIL.

Yushkevich - fans loved him

Zaitsev - fans didn't like him, and every other defenceman of that era.

One of the best contracts on the team.
(btw all made possible because of Babcock's involvement - it's him who made sure that Mikheyev would join the Leafs, not Dubas)
- MaximusAurelius

Of course. Dubas did nothing. Who is responsible for Lehtonen BTW?

And sorru, were you saying Zaitsev was one of the best contracts?

OLd man Lou gave Leo 4 years and a raise at age 32 when he was a healthy scratch for the Leafs in the playoffs and clearly was falling off.

But Nylander makes 6.9!!

Sheer and utter nonsense.

Here's the list of Russian players who have played 80 or more games for the Leafs:

Berezin - fans loved him.

Borschevsky - fans adored him

Karpotsev - nobody hated him

Korolev - neutral. Some may have hated him, but it was probably deserved.

Kulemin - fans over-rated him

Markov - fans loved him, to the point of ignoring his raging alcoholism

Mironov - generally fans liked him

Mogilny - fans loved him

David Schriner - Hockey Hall of Famer. Yeah, TIL.

Yushkevich - fans loved him

Zaitsev - fans didn't like him, and every other defenceman of that era.
- Atomic Wedgie

I was referring to current (last 5y) US/Canadian views on Russian players, not last 20years+

The one contract Dubas signed that I hate. At least it’s Marner and not an aged Marleau...
- Steven_Seagull

Agreed.

Well, I also hated the Petan deal but not because of the $$$. I hated it because it was stupid to sign a guy to a two year deal immediately after trading for him. Especially when he had no place on this team.

(Trading for Malgin was also useless)

There's no way these Lou Lovers who be happy with those god awful deals Lou is signing on the Island.

Trump should have watched a youtube video on how to hold a book before that photo op with the bible.
- RogerRoeper

You’ve got to think Melania wishes he’d check out a few other how to YouTube videos.

I was referring to current (last 5y) US/Canadian views on Russian players, not last 20years+
- MaximusAurelius

There' s less hatred towards Russian players than ever.

I was referring to current (last 5y) US/Canadian views on Russian players, not last 20years+
- MaximusAurelius

So please pick out a Russian Leaf from the last 5 years on my list, and explain how they got a rough time.

Want to expand it to Soviet players? You telling me Komarov was given a hard time?

He was completely franking useless, and fans here loved him, because he could swear in five languages.

Go ahead, point to a name or two. I'll wait.

you would be right if you would include the matthews' contract as well.
a better negotiator might have been able to close a deal with both (earlier on) for 1-1.5mln AAV less (per contract). That's a 2-3mln total cap saving.
- MaximusAurelius

Matthews was signed mid last season and it was Marner's camps doing that it went as long as it did.

Of course. Dubas did nothing. Who is responsible for Lehtonen BTW?

And sorru, were you saying Zaitsev was one of the best contracts?
- RogerRoeper

When did I say Zaitsev was 'one of the best contracts'?
Let's first see how Lehtonen pans out before praising him?
Fact is that Babcock wanted Mikheyev and Dubas wasn't too convinced (probably because Babcock was so much involved; I get it was annoying for Dubas that Babcock got involved in things he wasn't responsible for - it is clear that Babcock wasn't very happy with Dubas' roster decisions).

Matthews was signed mid last season and it was Marner's camps doing that it went as long as it did.
- GreatGigInTheSky

for the 10th time - Marner camp was open the year before (before starting training camp) to negotiate an extention. 8-9mln AAV would have been the number.

So please pick out a Russian Leaf from the last 5 years on my list, and explain how they got a rough time.

Want to expand it to Soviet players? You telling me Komarov was given a hard time?

He was completely franking useless, and fans here loved him, because he could swear in five languages.

Go ahead, point to a name or two. I'll wait.
- Atomic Wedgie

Technically a Finn.

When did I say Zaitsev was 'one of the best contracts'?
Let's first see how Lehtonen pans out before praising him?
Fact is that Babcock wanted Mikheyev and Dubas wasn't too convinced (probably because Babcock was so much involved; I get it was annoying for Dubas that Babcock got involved in things he wasn't responsible for - it is clear that Babcock wasn't very happy with Dubas' roster decisions).
- MaximusAurelius

Looks like Babcock was wrong. The roster looked much better without huim. He should hsave simply coached to the team's strentghs.

for the 10th time - Marner camp was open the year before (before starting training camp) to negotiate an extention. 8-9mln AAV would have been the number.
- MaximusAurelius

One source has claimed that.

for the 10th time - Marner camp was open the year before (before starting training camp) to negotiate an extention. 8-9mln AAV would have been the number.
- MaximusAurelius

For the 100th time, Marner's camp said they were in no way whatsoever gonna sign before either Nylander OR Matthews.

(frank) sake, Max.

https://www.capfriendly.com/


People need to review this and see Leafs are in good shape.

Russia, one of the biggest hockey-playing countries in the world, provides only 4.3 percent of the NHL’s skaters (26 out of 610) and 7.2 percent of its goalies (five out of 69).

(I'm unable to post link to the Hockey News - weird)

Yet they are 4 of the top 15 in jersey sales:

https://www.nhl.com/news/...jersey-in-nhl/c-298136872

In no other markets to people whine about their players salaries. Montreal even barely discusses Price's deal.

Mitch Marner makes 10.8 Leafs are ok...

According to Mitch Marner, Kadri was one of the worst players on the team per slacking off.
- mjones242

Marner did say his line which included Bozak and JvR and Kadri.