3 Teams Dumb Enough to Trade for Nikita Zaitsev After Rough Season

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Nikita Zaitsev is coming off of an underwhelming season, in which he had only one more point in 21 more games compared to his previous season. On Friday, Zaitsev requested a trade from Toronto. What teams could take a run at the struggling defenseman?

3. Los Angeles Kings

Vegas Golden Knights v Los Angeles Kings / Yong Teck Lim

The Los Angeles Kings are apparently in the market to add talent in order to turn their team around and make a run for the playoffs next season. If that is true, the Kings could make an attempt to fortify their blue line and explore trading for the 27-year-old. Zaitsev could wind up in LA, but would he really help the Kings?

2. Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers v Nashville Predators / Frederick Breedon

The Edmonton Oilers need to figure something out to get Connor McDavid into the playoffs. Their biggest holes are, well, almost everything except top six forwards. The Oilers could explore adding a top four defenseman to their roster and could turn their attention to acquiring Zaitsev. He could be a solid option for the Oilers, but he better improve on his 2018-19 campaign.

1. Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver Canucks v Arizona Coyotes / Christian Petersen

The Vancouver Canucks have a good group of forwards on their roster heading into next season, along with the 10th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. Their defense is questionable at best however, and they should be willing to take a risk on Zaitsev for the right price. That said, he resembles a big risk.