The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly “working towards” extending pending RFA defenceman Nikita Zaitsev on a seven-year deal.
As I reported on @TSNHockey Leaf broadcast, TOR and Zaitsev working towards extension. Not done. May be as long as 7 years. Stay tuned.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 31, 2017
According to multiple sources, the potential deal would come in at an AAV around $4.5 million. This would make the Russian the second highest paid blueliner on the Leafs behind only Morgan Rielly.
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Report: Toronto Maple Leafs “Working Towards” Nikita Zaitsev Extension
After seven seasons in the KHL with Sibir Novosibirsk and CSKA Moscow, Nikita Zaitsev came over to Toronto last spring, when he signed a one-year entry-level deal on May 2, 2016. Coming out of Russia at the age 24, nobody really knew what to expect out of Zaitsev. Most thought he would slot in on the bottom pairing, where he could chip in offensively while adjusting to the North American game. Starting at the World Cup of Hockey with Russia in September, Zaitsev quickly dismissed that notion and immediately placed himself in the Leafs’ top four.
As a right shot, Nikita Zaitsev has played most of the season with Morgan Rielly on the top pairing, taking big minutes and tough assignments. This pairing lasted until the 7-2 loss to the Florida Panthers on March 14th. Since that awful showing, Zaitsev has been paired with Jake Gardiner, where the Russian has returned to form.
Zaitsev currently has 34 points in 76 games as a 25-year old rookie. That puts him second on the team from the blueline and third league-wide in defensive rookie scoring.
His current contract maxes out at $1.775 million if he reaches all of his rookie bonuses. If Zaitsev does sign the reported seven-year extension, the renewal would buy five years of unrestricted free agency.
The Comparables
John Klingberg (7 years, $4.25 million), Oscar Klefbom (7 years, $4.2 million), and Jonas Brodin (6 years, $4.2 million) all signed similar deals to Zaitsev’s reported extension with similar production. The unique part of Zaitsev’s extension will be the age at which he signs it. The reported seven-year extension would bring the Russian until age 32 and buy five UFA years. The three contract comparables were all signed at age 21 or 22, only buying one or two UFA years.
A young, right-handed defenceman who will finish with close to 40 points as a rookie will not come cheap. Zaitsev is going to get paid in the coming weeks, cementing his spot on the Leafs blueline for years to come.
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