Oilers and Canucks Top 2 Contenders for Leafs' Nikita Zaitsev as Trade Market Heats Up
By Brendan Azoff
The Toronto Maple Leafs are facing a cap dilemma, and with five years left with an average annual value of $4.5 million on his contract, the Leafs have been looking to move on from defenseman Nikita Zaitsev. Recently, trade talks have heated up, with two teams emerging as primary contenders for the Russian.
Per TSN's Darren Dreger, the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers are the two team's most intrigued by Zaitsev as discussions begin to heat up.
Trade discussions will heat up in the days leading up to next weeks draft. Mentioned Vancouver’s interest in Nikita Zaitsev last week. Sounds like the Oilers have some interest as well.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 13, 2019
Zaitsev does have a moderate no trade clause, but if he doesn't bar a move to either of those teams then the Leafs may have found a partner.
The defenseman played 81 games last season recording 14 points for the Leafs while posting an on-ice rating of +2.
Toronto has around $9 million in cap space, but has to work out a long-term contract with RFA Mitch Marner as well as revitalize their defense corps which has several unsigned pieces.
Update
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) June 4, 2019
Source : #Canucks interest is high in Zaitsev but do they have what Toronto would take back. Could a deal happen yes it’s possible but not there yet.
The Canucks would benefit from a Zaitsev trade, as he would add needed depth and leadership to a young defensive core. The 27-year-old had arguably his best season as a rookie, but perhaps a move to a new team would allow the defenseman a chance to revitalize his play.