Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Nikita Zaitsev has put together a strong debut season in the NHL and could be rewarded for it in the near future.
Reports surfaced earlier this week indicating the Leafs and Zaitsev are discussing a potential seven-year contract extension with an average value of $4.5 million per season.
Zaitsev left his home in Russia to join the Maple Leafs last summer and has been heavily relied on this season, leading the team in ice time with an average of 22:16 per game (just two seconds more than Morgan Rielly).
He has four goals and 30 assists and has been matched up against opposing team’s top lines frequently. A seven-year deal would keep the 25-year-old in Toronto through his age 32 season.
Sportsnet Hotstove host Dan Riccio was joined by John Grigg and David Singh to discuss the risks involved in locking up Zaitsev long term.
“I like the cap hit, I just don’t like the term,” Grigg said. “If he’s a good defenceman over the next five years for the Toronto Maple Leafs then that’s a winning contract, but it just does seem like seven is a bit much.”
The Sportsnet Hot Stove
Breaking down a potential Zaitsev extension
Originally aired April 01 2017
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Zaitsev is making $925,000 this year and will be a restricted free agent by season’s end.
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