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NHL trade rumors: 3 teams who should trade for Nikita Zaitsev

By Dave Stevenson

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 04: Nikita Zaitsev #22 of the Toronto Maple Leafs takes part in warm up before playing the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Scotiabank Arena on April 4, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 04: Nikita Zaitsev #22 of the Toronto Maple Leafs takes part in warm up before playing the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Scotiabank Arena on April 4, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Andrea Cardin/NHLI via Getty Images /

3. Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators are going to need some outside help to reach the salary cap floor. For this reason, I’d expect them to look to add a bad contract or two in exchange for assets. If the Senators are going to adopt this strategy, Nikita Zaitsev is one of the better players they could target.

Ottawa needs warm bodies on their blueline who can fill in while their prospects marinate in the minors. Zaitsev is still a capable NHL defenseman who can gobble up playing time, as he’s averaged over 20 minutes of playing time per game.

He would make even more sense for them if the Senators decide to move on from Cody Ceci. But even if they don’t, Ottawa’s right-handed defensive depth is sketchy at best. Dylan DeMelo and Christian Jaros are improving, but neither seems ideal for a second pairing role. Zaitsev, however, could work in that scenario.

The best part about trading for him would be what they get back for him. Ottawa can expect to get a draft pick or two in exchange for taking on his contract. All the Senators will have to give up is either a filler prospect or a very low draft pick, essentially just to ensure they give something up in the trade.

Ottawa would be wise to call up the Maple Leafs and get the ball rolling. Their cap space, if used properly, will help them net some future assets. It’s also worth noting the Senators new head coach, D.J. Smith, used to coach Zaitsev back when he was an assistant coach with the Maple Leafs.

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