Honestly i hope as a leaf fan Zairsev is kept. I know he is slightly overpaid but next year he probably is going back on the PP, he is a solid PK dman, and when given a player like Muzzin he has solid shutdown ability.

I am a Lefas fan too but Zaitsev is not a great shut down D man, especially at 4.5 Million
He was in that role becasue the leafs really do not have anyone else for that role. Thats the whole issue with the team, and one of the reasons they are not playing still.
Look at all the playoff teams still playing and what they have on there backend.

Your analysis is highly accurate. Yes, the Leafs lack a pure shutdown defender like Brett Pesce or Josh Manson or even LhD Jonas Brodin, but is that Zaitsev's fault? Half of Leafs Nation seems to think it is.

Let's say you are right and Zaitsev isn't 4.5m value. But the Leafs still need a NHL competent Dman to take his place...and it's not like there are 1m choices available. Some other teams defence seem to get god like status compared to the Leafs. Jets top 7 is paid 32m, Calgarys top 7 paid, paid 26m, and where are they now? Leafs top 7 paid 23m
I would welcome any logical trade posted that would see Zaitsev traded that wouldn't weaken the Leaf defence.

You are right their are not many good trade options out there for him.
That is becasue he's overpiad for what he brings and teams do not want him.
Leafs do need competent D, but There is much cheapers options out there such as Chariot ?? if you could get a prospect or a pick for Zaitsev.
Leafs need to find Cap space somewhere. Should be a interesting off season for us.

Zaitsev is a capable bottom pairing defenceman with PK upside. Problem is, simply put is he is making twice his market value on a long term contract which is a issue for the cap troubled Leafs.

GMTD you are completely right that a team with cap room like the Sabres could benefit in a trade for him. They get an overpaid but serviceable, prime aged defender in Zaitsev and an asset or assets as well.

As you probably already know I am a Habs fan so the deal I had was:
Juulsen and a 2nd
For
Zaitsev and Kapanen

But who would you replace him with and how much would he be paid. I get that he is not great but he had a very solid series against the bruins due to that he didn't babysit Jake "brainfart" Gardiner. Muzzin being a better allround dman than gardiner allowed Zaitsev to play his natural skill set and did a solid job on 5 v 5 shutting down Bergeron, Marchand and Pastrnak. I do agree the leafs need to upgrade their d but thats is more Reilly's partner and have better depth (though we did have some depth this year in the AHL but they were injured when the leafs needed them). Also, i wouldn't jump on trading Zaitsev seeing he is an Offensive all-round dman who cause of Gardiner and Babcock only putting one dman on a PP unit couldn't get any PP time these past few years. Mark my words if Zaitsev is put back on PP 2 next year he will put up 25-35 pts and with him on the PK he will closer to value next year if that happens.

Thank you for your comments. Please comment what you believe would be a fair trade. Are any of the proposed trades reasonable?


I agree, unless there is a replacement at a lower cost.

Good point, but he may be the best shut down defenseman that the Leafs currently have.

Exactly! He is the new whipping boy. I would imagine if he was traded his performance would improve similar to how Kessel's improved.

Good point. As I asked above, what would be a logical trade that you would accept?

The Leafs may take this deal. Juulsen is a decent prospect, the second would be about 47th and it would save the Leafs at least $8,000,000.