Zaitsev was expected to be back in the lineup on Thursday but was not on the ice for the morning skate and still isn't 100 percent. Zaitsev said that he felt some discomfort and didn't want to risk re-aggravating the injury.
Zaitsev missed the last seven games but was back on the ice for Wednesday's practice and is expected to play Thursday vs. the Panthers. Zaitsev has eight assists in 32 games this season.
Zaitsev was moved to IR earlier in the week and will be out until late-December/mid-January due to a lower-body injury he suffered vs. the Blue Jackets last Saturday. With Zaitsev and Dylan DeMelo out, Erik Brannstrom has played a larger role and Thomas Chabot is playing absolutely monstrous minutes.
Zaitsev was banged up Saturday vs. the Blue Jackets while blocking multiple shots. Erik Brannstrom was recently recalled from Belleville (AHL) and will replace Zaitsev on the back-end.
Zaitsev has returned to Russia to attend to a personal matter, so Maxime Lajoie was recalled from Belleville (AHL) to replace him. There is no indication when Zaitsev will return to the team.
The Maple Leafs needed to clear some more cap space and Zaitsev was a prime candidate to be moved. The right-handed defenseman has five years left on his deal that carries a $4.5M cap-hit. Zaitsev had a solid first season in the NHL but struggled in each of the last two seasons. He showed during his days in the KHL that he has some offensive ability and maybe he will find that while playing in Ottawa’s top-4.
Zaitsev missed the Maple Leafs morning skate due to an illness but head coach Mike Babcock expects him to play vs. the Bruins. If Zaitsev doesn’t end up playing, look for Martin Marincin to re-enter the lineup. Zaitsev has just two assists and 18 shots on goal in 24 games this season.
Zaitsev has been battling an illness and will miss his second straight game on Wednesday. However, Zaitsev was able to get on the ice for the first time in five days, which suggests that he could be ready for tomorrow’s game in Buffalo.
Zaitsev missed Saturday’s game and both practices on Monday and Tuesday because of an illness, so it doesn’t look like he’ll be available for Wednesday’s game vs. the Stars. Zaitsev is officially listed as questionable, so monitor his status during tomorrow’s morning skate.
Zaitsev has been sidelined since December 15th, but will be back in tonight vs. the Islanders. Zaitsev will skate with Travis Dermott on the Maple Leafs’ second pairing and comes in with 10 points (4G / 6A) in 34 games this season.
Zaitsev practiced for the second straight day on Tuesday and will likely play on Wednesday. Zaitsev has been sidelined by a lower-body injury that he suffered while blocking a shot in mid-December. Monitor his status during tomorrow’s morning skate.
