Zaitsev gets seven-year deal with Leafs

TORONTO — The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed defenceman Nikita Zaitsev to a seven-year contract extension.

The deal carries an annual average value of $4.5 million US per season and will keep the Russian blueliner locked up through the 2023-24 campaign. The 25-year-old Zaitsev had a breakout rookie season with the Leafs in 2016-17, registering 36 points (four goals, 32 assists) in 82 games and leading Toronto players with an average of just over 22 minutes of ice time per game.

The Moscow native also appeared in four playoff contests with Toronto.