Toronto Maple Leafs Sign Nikita Zaitsev to Long-Term Deal
By Austin Owens
The Toronto Maple Leafs have committed to Nikita Zaitsev, signing the Russian defender to a seven-year, $31.5 million contract.
After rumours of an extension for weeks, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Nikita Zaitsev put pen to paper, finalizing a seven-year $31.5 million extension, with an annual average value of $4.5 million. The contract is through the 2023-24 season. The deal also comes exactly a year to the day he signed his entry-level deal with the Buds.
.@MapleLeafs have signed D Nikita Zaitsev to a seven-year contract extension. Annual value of the contract is $4.5M through 2023-24 #TMLtalk
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) May 2, 2017
According to Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston, the deal also includes a limited no-trade clause.
Zaitsev came over to the Leafs from CSKA Moscow last summer. He played for Russia in the World Championships just days after signing, then got his first taste of North American ice during the World Cup of Hockey before playing all 82 games this season for the Leafs.
He played on a line with Morgan Rielly for the majority of the season, before being paired with Jake Gardiner in the latter stages of the year. He scored his first NHL goal on Dec 17. against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Russian had a great rookie season, finishing with 36 points. He faced top lines almost every night and was on the second power play unit. He didn’t have as many goals as expected but displayed a great stick on defence and the ability to keep up with anyone on the ice.
More from Tip of the Tower
- Cam Phillips making his mark on Toronto Argonauts offence
- Toronto Argonauts: 4 storylines ahead of matchup against Redblacks
- Federico Bernardeschi ready for new challenge with Toronto FC
- Toronto Argonauts overcome Roughriders in entertaining Touchdown Atlantic
- Buffalo Bills: Von Miller drawing inspiration from Bruce Smith
Of course, there were some lapses this season. But that can be chalked up to a rebuilding Toronto blue line and Zaitsev learning the North American game.
He was injured in the last game of the season against the Columbus Blue Jackets but returned for Game 3 of the playoffs against the Washington Capitals. After the series was finished, he was diagnosed with a concussion.
As for the Leafs, they have locked up another member of their core long-term. They inked Rielly and Nazem Kadri to five-year deals last summer.
With Colin Greening, Milan Michalek, and Brooks Laich all coming off the books this summer, the Leafs will have some more room under the cap to make moves this summer.
Next: Toronto Maple Leafs: Was Nikita Zaitsev’s Injury Handled Properly?
What do you think of the Toronto Maple Leafs signing Nikita Zaitsev to a long-term deal? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.