Meaningful hockey nothing new to the German Gretzky
TORONTO — The Maple Leafs have one of their most important pieces secured for the next seven years.
Defenceman Nikita Zaitsev’s seven-year deal, which has been in the final stages of negotiation for weeks, was settled Tuesday, a $31.5 million US package when the annual value of $4.5 million is worked. He’ll be a Leaf until 202324 if he stays.
The 25-year-old Russian exceeded expectations when he came directly from the KHL and won a starting spot, spending much of the past season on the top defensive pairing. He didn’t miss a regular season start, but was injured in Game 82 against Columbus, a concussion that kept him out of the beginning of the Washington playoff series. He didn’t feel right until the series was almost through.
Zaitsev had 36 regular season points, 32 of those assists, second in points among Leaf defencemen. Zaitsev, who originally signed a one-year entry level contract with the Leafs, began the hockey year in the World Cup with Russia. Zaitsev has often cited the optimistic future of the youth oriented Leafs as a reason for wanting to sign long term and was frustrated at getting hurt at the end of the season.
“I was ready for the playoffs and then this happens,” he said, “but it’s a good lesson for me. I’d never had a concussion in my life.”
Coach Mike Babcock, who used Zaitsev more than 20 minutes a game most nights, was among those advising him not to play in the upcoming world championships.
“He was playoff ready, but he needs time (off),” Babcock said. “Because we’ve been given the opportunity (to influence him), he won’t play at the worlds, he needs to get 100 per cent healthy. He played in the (2016) world championships, in the World Cup and all year for us, more hockey than he’s ever played. He needs to get freshened up. He has a big year (coming).”
The Leafs also announced Tuesday they’ve signed centre Ben Smith to a one-year deal for $650,000 US. He was bumped out of a starting job on the fourth line by Brian Boyle’s arrival. Boyle could soon be a UFA.
The so-called German Gretzky has played exactly 100 meansomething hockey games so far this season.
“I think the playoff experience in Kelowna really helped him,” said Edmonton Oilers’ GM Peter Chiarelli of the team pulling the parachute on Draisaitl’s rookie season two years ago to join the Rockets and go all the way to be MVP of the Memorial Cup.
“He’s played a lot of hockey this year starting with that Olympic qualification and the World Cup. I think playing at that high level really helped him through the season.
“Todd had a great quote the other night about how it’s been with Leon and Connor McDavid. They push and they pull each other.”
For McDavid, the next actual Gretzky, it’s 94 mean-something games played to this point.
People forget what the two have gone through as they go into Game 4 of the Pacific Division Final of their first Stanley Cup playoffs at ages 21 and 20 respectively.
Draisaitl started his hockey season Sept. 1 in an IIHF Olympic Qualification Tournament in Riga, Latvia. He played three games in four days in a round robin with Japan, Austria and Latvia and scored a goal and an assist in a 3-2 win in the final game over Latvia to give Germany the spot in the PyeongChang 2018 Olympics.
He then flew to Toronto and played six tournament games for Ralph Krueger’s Team Europe, going all the way to the final against Canada.
Draisaitl finished eighth in NHL scoring with 29 goals and 77 points. With two goals and six assists, he has eight points for his first nine Stanley Cup playoff games.
McDavid played three games in the World Cup for Todd McLellan’s Team North America. He won the Art Ross Trophy and was named finalist for the Hart Trophy with his 30-goal, 70-assist 100-point season.
McDavid with three goals and three assists has six points for his first nine Stanley Cup playoff games.
And both, especially McDavid, are having to battle through the toughest checking they’ve ever experienced.
If the expected response when your correspondent asked Draisaitl about hitting 100 games after practice Tuesday was “you’re kidding ”, it was quite the opposite.
“I’m way over 100 already,” he informed.
“We had two games in Germany before the qualifying. Before the World Cup we had three exhibition games. And when I came back I played two pre-season games.”
Add those up and he’ll play Game 108 tonight.
“I did a good job taking care of my body all year. I’m fresh. I feel I still have the jump. I feel pretty good.”
Draisaitl agrees with Chiarelli that the half season and run to the Memorial Cup with Kelowna went a long way to preparing him for this run.
“Yeah, for sure. That was my first long playoff run and it helped me mentally and also physically. That definitely helped me.”
McDavid is under some scrutiny because he’s not putting up regular season numbers in the playoffs, although his goal in Game 3 might have been the greatest goal in the playoffs so far.
Asked if he feels like he’s played 94-meaningful games, the youngest captain in the history of the NHL who played 45 games as a rookie last year, didn’t hesitate with his response.
“No,” he said. “I good.”
When Chiarelli’s quote about Draisaitl playing all those games with Kelowna after a half season with the Oilers was passed on to him, McDavid said he believes he’s benefitting from his deep runs in the playoffs with the Erie Otters as well.
“I played a ton junior.”
When your agent suggested to head coach Todd McLellan Tuesday that despite the number of games they’ve played that his two young superstars appear relatively unaffected by it, he laughed.
“Yeah, young legs. Wouldn’t it be nice to have those, all of us in here, except for the ladies, obviously?
“We’re fortunate they’re young, they’re youthful and they have a real exuberance in their game. They’ve hauled big, heavy bodies around all season.
“Leon started mid-August for the Olympic qualifier. That’s a lot of hockey right now for a 21-year-old. But he’s handling it fine, Conner as well.
“I think that’s the Fountain of Youth right now.” feel pretty of games in