Nikita Zaitsev Deal Signed By SKA St. Petersburg
Nikita Zaitsev, a seasoned defenseman with experience in the NHL, has inked a deal with SKA St. Petersburg. Throughout his time in the NHL, Zaitsev has played for the Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Chicago Blackhawks. At 32 years old, he scored two goals and contributed five assists, totaling seven points in 38 games this season. His Corsi for percentage stood at 42.9, with a relative Corsi of -2.2. Unfortunately, injuries have hampered his performance recently, with a knee injury sidelining him for a significant part of the season.
Hailing from Moscow, Zaitsev has accumulated 22 goals and 96 assists, amassing 118 points over 482 career games. He began his NHL journey by signing with the Maple Leafs as an undrafted free agent in early May 2016. Before his NHL career, Zaitsev played in the KHL for Sibir Novosibirsk and CSKA Moscow. His exceptional play earned him KHL All-Star honors in both 2015 and 2016.
In addition to his club career, Zaitsev has represented Russia at both the junior and senior levels. He was part of the Russian squad at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship and helped secure bronze medals for Russia in 2016 and 2019.
#### Zaitsev Continues His Career in Russia
Zaitsev’s potential contributions to any team remain significant, provided he can maintain his health. His last season playing over 65 games was with the Maple Leafs in 2018-19. While he may not replicate his goal-scoring feats from the KHL in the NHL, Zaitsev’s imposing physical presence at 6-foot-2 and nearly 200 pounds is noteworthy. Returning to Russia, he hopes to finish his career with a few productive seasons, adding valuable experience and stability to his new team.
