Maple Leafs Roundtable: The Player Most Looking Forward To

Nick DeSouza: Nikita Zaitsev

The young player I am most excited for is definitely, the 24 year old, Nikita Zaitsev. Out of all the new young players, Zaitsev could be the player with the least noticeable “growing pains”.  Pairing Zaitsev with Jake Gardiner, an elite possession player, not only helps ease Zaitsev into the NHL, but also has potential to be explosive for the Leafs this upcoming season.

In the KHL, Zaitsev was an above 0.5 point per game player while playing top minutes with CSKA Moskva. Many fans have still been skeptical of Zaitsev knowing this, due to the mystery behind the quality of the KHL in comparison to the NHL.

Zaitsev proved his critics wrong with his performance at the IIHF world championships, where he was voted one of the best two defensemen at the tournament. What was surprising for myself was Zaitsev’s positive possession impact that he had on the Russian team. He finished with a 68 CF% and ranked 6th among defensemen in gross Corsi +/-.

The Gardiner/Zaitsev pairing just keeps getting better and better when analyzing their potential at even strength. However, Zaitsev could even help the Leafs powerplay thanks to his big shot and puck moving abilities. A spot on the top power play should be strongly considered by Babcock and company. As a result, Nikita Zaitsev could be the defensemen the Leafs have been waiting for.

Next: Sandy Taver: Auston Matthews

Sandy Taver: Auston Matthews

I believe that like most Maple Leafs fans at least, I really am looking forward to seeing Auston Matthews- both at the World Cup of Hockey and then in the leaf uniform.

In fact, I’m most anxious to watch the under 23 team because they have quite a collection of young talent that should provide an exciting and high octane type game no matter who they are playing.  These are the next generation superstars on display, which creates promise for entertaining hockey for the next 10 years and beyond.

My primary interest in Matthews is because he’s a Leaf for sure, and the only true potential superstar draft pick in years. It will be interesting to see how he fits into this group of talented youngsters, which roster spot he ends up earning, and how effective he will be, playing against the best in the world. No doubt this is a huge kick start for the season, which may make the nhl season a bit anticlimactic for players that have already been starting NHLers.

For Auston though, I think it will be a test first, and a confidence builder second, which will serve him well in finding his place on the Leaf roster.

Whether he shines or simply contributes, he will learn that he has the tools to be a difference maker, and taking the experience of that tournament to the pros will only help him build the confidence needed to start to the journey to becoming an elite player.

I do believe he will achieve that status but I’m not sure how quickly that will happen. No problem though since we leaf fans have learned how to be patient and we can finally have hope for a valid reason.  

Next: Lauren Kelly: Connor Brown

Lauren Kelly: Connor Brown

The player I’m most excited to watch in 2016-17 is probably Connor Brown. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very excited to watch Nylander, Marner, and Matthews play as well, but I think Brown could be one of the Maple Leafs’ prospects who surprises in training camp.

He played very well in the few games he played at the end of last season (six points in seven games, which is pretty good for a rookie), so he’s already got some taste of what the NHL game is like, which should make his full-time transition a little easier.

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He had a couple of very impressive games with the Leafs versus Florida and Anaheim, and although it’s not much of a sample size, I do believe his performances in those games were an indication of what is to come.

If the Maple Leafs do send him to the Marlies to start the season, he’s played extremely well as a young player in the AHL, so he’ll likely be one of the team’s first call-ups if and when another player goes down to injury.

I’m also looking forward to seeing which players he develops chemistry with, whether it’s with a veteran centre like Bozak/Kadri or another rookie such as Matthews or Nylander.

Whether or not he has an immediate offensive impact – and it’s more likely that he doesn’t – is what most fans will judge Brown based on; however, what I hope Brown can do is adjust to playing defense in the NHL, as offense comes naturally to him. Once that happens, it won’t be long before he’s established a name for himself on this young, talented roster.

Next: Eddie Razo: Nikita Zaitsev

Eddie Razo: Nikita Zaitsev

He will be 24 years-old when the season starts, so I’ll have to go with Nikita Zaitsev as the young player I am looking forward to seeing in 2016-2017.

The Maple Leafs are loaded with young players on offense and next year they will showcase players like Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Nikita Soshnikov, Zach Hyman, Mitch Marner, and Connor Brown. However, when you look to the defense other than Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner, there are a lot of question marks behind them.

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Which is why it will be interesting to see if Zaitsev can grab a top four role and run with it. He is a puck moving defenseman with a right-handed shot, which Mike Babcock will love, so Zaitsev will definitely be given minutes on the power-play, so it will be intriguing to see how his offensive numbers translate to the North American game.

If anyone has seen any Youtube highlights of Zaitsev, the first thing they will notice is his shot. The thought of Morgan Rielly feeding him the puck on the power-play excites many Maple Leaf fans for next season. Although his offensive game is something that will excite the fanbase, his defensive game will be just as important and something to keep track of, especially if someone hasn’t seen Zaitsev play.

Overall, seeing if Zaitsev can be a steal for the Maple Leafs and a top four defenseman will be interesting to follow in 2016-2017.

Next: Tim Chiasson: Mitch Marner

Tim Chiasson: Mitch Marner

There are a lot of young players that will be great to see full-time, but I think that Mitch Marner is the most exciting of the group.

Auston Matthews has the expectation to come in and be a very great player, while people are still unsure of what to expect from Marner at the NHL level after destroying the Ontario Hockey League last year from start to finish.

Marner is an elite prospect with exceptional skill and he has the potential to be as much in conversation for the Calder as Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine – especially if he`s playing with Matthews.

He can score every way you can imagine and has great vision to find players all over the ice – just ask Christian Dvorak and Matthew Tkachuk.

Next: Replenished System Still Has Questions

Not only am I most looking forward to Marner over everyone else, but I think he could turn a lot of heads by the end of the season and, maybe, be the highest scoring rookie in the entire National Hockey League. Great players find ways to do great things even as rookies.