Rumor: Nikita Zaitsev Traded to The Ottawa Senators

Word is out that there is a Trade in place for Toronto and Ottawa to swap right shot defenders.


This rumor took root earlier today and has snowballed with several NHL Insiders confirming a deal is tentatively in place.

It is believed that Nikita Zaitsev and a sweetener are being traded to Ottawa for Cody Ceci.

This deal will not happen until July 1st when Zaitsev is due his $3,000,000 signing bonus.

Ceci is a 25 year old right shot d-man coming a 1-year, $4,300,000 contract. He is an RFA with arbitration rights.

Zaitsev is also a right shot d-man and is 27 years old. He has 5 years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $4,500,000.

These two players are very similar and a change of scenery could serve both well.

Here is Bob McKenzie's recent tweets surrounding the trade.

This could be a very interesting move, especially it Toronto ends up walking away from an arbitrators decision, if it even gets to that point.

This summer is shaping up to be very busy for Kyle Dubas and very interesting for Leafs fans.