Puck Prose
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
nhl trade rumors nikita zaitsev
Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images /

2. New Jersey Devils

Much like the Senators, the New Jersey Devils have a comical amount of cap space entering the offseason. Also, just like Ottawa, they have a desperate need for some right-handed defensemen. Zaitsev is someone they should target for several reasons.

The primary reason the Devils should target him is they’ll probably get something valuable for taking on his deal. Toronto has minimal leverage and can’t really ask teams to give up anything of value for Zaitsev. They’ll probably have to give up a third-round pick or a decent prospect in order to move his contract. The Devils should be all over this.

Secondly, this is probably more of an indictment on the Devils than anything else, but Zaitsev would actually be a decent fit. He could be their first or second pairing right-handed defenseman.

The Devils could bank on him bouncing back and then they might be able to move his contract. There’s also the chance a compliance buyout or two might become available after the next CBA negotiations (and inevitable lockout).

New Jersey’s not going to have cap concerns anytime soon. They’d be wise to call up Toronto about Zaitsev and see if they can make them an offer that would make it worth it for them to take on his contract. The Devils have had success taking advantage of teams needing cap space before. Remember that time they traded for Marcus Johansson? How about Kyle Palmieri?

Home/Rumors