Today, Elliotte Friedman of TSN claims that the Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils, and Tampa Bay Lightning have some sort interest in Leafs defenseman Nikita Zaitsev on his 31 Thoughts podcast. There is a possibility that Ray Shero is looking to upgrade his right-handed defense corps. Guys like Connor Carrick, Sami Vatanen, and Steven Santini could be used as assets in a deal. Now the question is, should the New Jersey Devils even want this deal?
According to Hockey Reference, Zaitsev played in 81 games, had a Corsi For Percentage of 49%, not shabby. His FF at even strength was 46.5% which is a below average bench mark. However his teammate Travis Dermott is the leading defender in that category of 53.6%.
Zaitsev had an average 9.2% On-Ice Shooting Percentage. Nikita was the 4th best defenseman with a 91.8% On Ice at Even Strength while Jake Muzzin, and Jake Gardiner lead Leafs defensemen with a 93.1% On Ice Even Strength.
Zaitsev was 4th on the Toronto Maple Leafs in PDO (at even strength plus save percentage) with a 101.00%. Offensive zone starts at even strength, and defensive zone face-offs need improvement. However, Zaitsev is the leading Leafs defender in Defensive Zone Start% of 58.9%. His TOI/60 Minutes is 20:28 meanwhile his TOI (Even Strength) per 60 is fourth best on the team at 17:28 minutes per game.
One of the biggest concerns for Zaitsev is he’s an average defenseman. If you want to have some faith in him and Shero’s ability to turn him around, they have to focus on the giveaways. Last season he had a horrendous line of 18 takeaways against 79 giveaways.
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His ratios with the puck on his stick aren’t very good. It’s not worth it to have another crack in the defense this season while getting more youth, and veterans on the Devils blue-line. (All stats coming from Hockey Reference.)
There are other defenders that appear available out there. There could be a trade for Vegas’ Colin Miller or one of two Nashville Predators defensemen Ryan Ellis and P.K. Subban. Also, there are a lot of free agent options like the big fish Erik Karlsson or someone in the middle like Tyler Myers.
Ryan Ellis does have an absolute bomb of a shot and played in the OHL with Taylor Hall. It does make a ton of sense for Shero to avoid Nikita Zaitsev while getting a veteran in Ellis who has been an excellent defender, and can be a great presence on a Devils defense. David Poile of Nashville and Ray Shero of New Jersey are very close business partners and I can see something like Ellis or PK Subban as a NHL Draft Day or pre-Free Agent Frenzy blockbuster deal.