Id like him on the rangers maybe a blockbuster like , Ryan McDonagh, Tony DeAngelo, and J.t Miller for Zaitsev , Soshnikov , Marner? and a 1st?

Where does jeff gorton sign?

I was personally thinking of zaitsev being used down the line to add some centre depth, maybe a Radek Faksa type player, but hes been really taking off lately so not sure if the value is quite there anymore.

"I can't see zaitsev being part of an elite top 4." OK. But why are the Leafs the only team that need an "elite" top four to be considered top contenders? Seems this the constant theme from some fans. Why can't Zaitsev just be part of the of the top 4 on a elite Leaf team? Zaitsev stays a Leaf, cause he's good value, and it's not like the Leafs have anyone else to replace him.

I have no problem of him being part of the current defense corp. Just speculating down the line if the Liljegren develops well (rasanen too?) and the leafs adding a RHD through free agency I could see Zaitsev's role diminishing in the future and the leafs looking for a trade partner to bring in a younger center.

Leaf fanatics aren't happy unless they have 3 or 4 Chris Chelios (in his prime) playing RHD. Liljegren is a way from being NHL good, and Rasanen even further. Gee, he couldn't make the Finnish junior team. By the the time these guys are good....it's four years away. We'll see what becomes then. But you are correct, the Leafs don't have any depth at centre. This summer, if they drafted 3 centres in the first two rounds, I'd be happy. Time goes by fast, Kadri only has 4 more years on his contract once this season is over, just in time to bring in the three draft picks

Lol what, Zaitsev is a great player. He may not be an "elite top 4" defensemen but every team needs 6 defensemen. Your telling me you would rather have the likes of Polak on your 3rd pair instead of Zaitsev??? In that case, trade him to Buffalo and we will send you Baptiste and Pouliot

You're right. Especially when fans critique the Leafs, it's like if it isn't this magical # 1 Dman, trade the rest. Look at Tampa, have Hedman, then Giardi, Stralman and Dobbin at RHD and Coburn and rookie Sergachev. Since Hedman is the only #1, the rest should be traded.

To be fair, you or I could be playing for Tampa's d-corps and they would still be a powerhouse team.

And and I am a RHD, so my value is WAY up there.

How I see Zaitsev:
On a top end team, at best, Zaitsev is a 2nd pairing d-man playing 20 min/g. He can put up points, but there are better defensive d-men in the league. His contract is fair for a 2nd pairing d-man in this league. Some might even say favorable. He's got 6 more years under contract at a 4.5M$ cap hit, and he's 26 yrs old.

He doesn't get you a top line talent in return. He might get you an elite talent that is currently slumping that you hope a change in scenery would jump start said player. I think if we were talking about draft picks, he would easily fetch you a 1st round pick, and then some.

As a comparable: MTL got Jeff Petry for a 2nd round pick. Petry was a "rental" as he was a UFA at the end of the season. Zaitsev will get you more as he is under contract for the next 6 years at a decent cap hit.

Put it this way: if you had Shea Weber logging 25+ min/gp on the top pairing, you could handle Zaitsev on a second pairing with his shortcomings.