If anything zaitsev is dealt for a cheaper Dman but seriously, the guy has been playing great this year. Is he not more valuable to the leafs? Especially since you are paying to get rid of him...

He isn't putting anything up offensively at all and has only been respectable defensively. on a short-term deal in the 2m range, it would be likely they keep him, but the leafs are absolutely strapped for cash next year and cutting 4.5m is much more valuable than a 4-5 dman IMO

If you waive Zaitsev in early summer, when everybody has cap space, you'd get ten claims. His long term cap hit reduces his trade value, but every team needs capable stay-at-home defensemen.

Unfortunately these Zaitsev trades have gained momentum. It's like so many trades, the more there are (for one player) the worse they get. I agree with you Zaitsev has been fine this season. Leafs have going to have enough problems replacing Gardiner and Hainsey next year with competent Dmen. To think you can plunk another inexperienced Dmen in the lineup and to be as good as this year....it's seem like folly. Need cap, maybe an expensive forward will have to traded, since the Leafs seem to have competent expensive replacements.

His two points so far this year might be 79th among right shot defensemen, but he's 18th in hits and 3rd in shots blocked, among that group. As good as Toronto's offense is, if the team wants to trade him, they can stick him on the power play again and get him some points, until he's back in the top 60....

But seriously, what's hilarious is how close he is in points to other defensemen Toronto's fans have spent the last year agonizing over the trade value of: Polak has one point. Pysyk has two points. Chris Tanev has three points.

I think a lot of guys are missing the point here. It's not about Zaitsev's deal being horrible. It's not. Someone's gotta go, and in this scenario I chose Johnsson and Kapanen to stay over Zaitsev. I disregarded positions because I believe that the position inequality can be addressed in the following offseason. I'd much rather lose Zaitsev, who I don't consider to be a top-4 defensemen on a cup-caliber team which the leafs eventually aspire to be, than any leaf top 9 forward not named Marleau (who is an FA in the following offseason), who I believe can be top 6 contributors on a cup winning team. So why deal Zaitsev? It's not cuz he gets no points. I think PTS for defensemen is an overrated stat. There are two main reasons why I think he is not a great defensemen and I'd want to deal him before the superior forwards. First, he has a total inability to handle the puck and make controlled zone exits, which is really important as a defensemen (and no, Gardiner cannot do this alone). The second reason is I feel like he wears the goat horns on a lot of goals, and his defensive positioning on many goals is very questionable. Will he be missed as a shot blocker? Yes. But someone's gotta go, and I'd rather it be him then Nylander, Kapanen, Johnsson, etc

Actually something I hadn't though about, but I don't remember there being precedent for anyone claiming a big salary guy on waivers. Also I don't think waivers is a thing in the summer, it just doesn't exist, but I'm not sure. Usually players with big deals that get waived get traded, which I imagine will be the eventual outcome with Sam Gagner is Vancouver and maybe even Karl Alzner in Montreal

Playing great this year in my opinion is a stretch. Yes he blocks shots, but his zone exits and possession numbers are horrible. Most importantly he doesn't pass my eye test (although I acknowledge this isn't an opinion that is shared by everyone and it's clear he passes your eye test). In my eyes, his play does not match his contract.

But the reality is I just want him (and more so his salary) out of Toronto. If Dubas can get a pick or a younger cheaper defensemen for him, great. If he has to attach a pick to him to move him, probably will be fine by me. I just cont want to have to retain salary or take a bad contract in return.

You are right about the zone exit but really it all goes through gardiner. Then when they are in the D zone it’s all zaitsev. He is also the most physical player on our team. Like it or lump it he will be our top pairing RHD next season. If you move him you have to replace him.

When only one defensemen can exit the zone, its easy to target the other one. Dump it into his side of the ice and its game over. Think BOS did that last playoffs. And I don't think Zaitsev is that good at defensive positioning in D-Zone. Good at blocking shots, but not good at other things in that area