30 May 2019 23:28:51
As per Friedman&McKenzie, Zaitsev has requested a trade, and the Leafs are attempting to facilitate one.

According to McKenzie, the Leafs don't want to retain salary, however, there are 'multiple suitors' for Zaitsev.

The return is likely to be minimum, barring an insane move, but this kinda confirms that, potentially, Toronto could get out of Zaitsev's contract without having to offload a ton of prospects/ picks/ roster players. Like, we speculated that it would cost at least a 1st to get rid of him, and tbh, after these reports, I doubt that's the case [Gudbranson got traded for Pearson, so guys who we perceive as negative value may still have value to certain GM's].

I could imagine a team like Ottawa taking on Zaitsev, with a sweetner of like Connor Brown and a 3rd for some minimal piece. Cause although there are suitors, I don't think Toronto will be able to squeak away without retaining salary. But, even without retaining, it is possible that none of Bracco/ Liljegren/ 1st go to facilitate a Zaitsev move.


1.) 31 May 2019
30 May 2019 23:42:57
The biggest problem with getting a team to take Zaitsev is that he has 5 more years on a contract he isn't worth. As a 6/ 7 d-man earning $4.5 mil per he will become a millstone around the neck of any rebuilding team in years 3, 4 and 5.


2.) 31 May 2019
31 May 2019 01:18:26
Anyone know why he asked to be traded? Seems a little weird doesn't it?


3.) 31 May 2019
31 May 2019 01:50:22
As much flak as Zaitsev gets for being overpaid, the Leafs are so devoid of defensive depth on the right side I’m not sure they are better off without him. Hainsey is 200 years old, and I don’t even know who else they had on the right side (I remember they tried Muzzin for a bit but it didn’t really pan out and they need him to replace Gardiner’s minutes on the left side) .


4.) 31 May 2019
31 May 2019 03:39:45
I'd rather take back phaneuf.


5.) 31 May 2019
31 May 2019 03:42:45
but with dorion and melnyk running the show i guess anything is possible.


6.) 31 May 2019
31 May 2019 04:04:28
That’s interesting to me. He got over paid and he’s the one that wants out?


7.) 31 May 2019
31 May 2019 11:06:22
Apparently he has issues with how he’s being used (sounds like he’s not the biggest Babcock fan) . If the Leafs can’t find a suitable trade and he bolts back to the KHL then you know there were bigger problems there than what was reported.


8.) 31 May 2019
31 May 2019 14:13:03
He’s underrated because he’s overpaid he’d crack any roster beside maybe Columbus/ Carolina as 5/ 6th dman.


9.) 31 May 2019
31 May 2019 15:03:13
VB that’s fine but people aren’t going to pay to take on an overpaid bottom pair d man, they’d need incentive. Personally I think a first is a lot to give up to move a contract without a decent pick coming back.


10.) 01 Jun 2019
01 Jun 2019 09:03:32
Bruh to take on zaitsev the sweetener won’t be just brown and a 3rd lol it’ll be more substantial than that. He’s pretty brutal and leafs sure kicked theirselves in the butt giving him that contract. I honestly can’t even think of any team who would want him tbh similar to looch 😂.


11.) 01 Jun 2019
01 Jun 2019 09:16:08
@Habby

From what I read, Zaitsev does not like how critical Toronto media is. But media is only critical because he plays so very bad. Is ok he doesn’t make points if he plays good defense. But he doesn’t play good defense either.