Update: Leafs the front-runner to land Zaitsev

Last week we had an interesting day trying to figure out if the Leafs had signed defenceman Nikita Zaitsev out of the KHL. Initially it looked like he would be coming to Toronto, foregoing his last year in Russia with CSKA Moscow, but eventually it became clear nothing would be sorted out until after next season. 

Igor Eronko, a writer for Sports.ru who first relayed the news of Zaitsev and the Leafs being linked, provided a few updates on the situation this morning.

Unless another team emerges as a major suitor for Zaitsev, it appears the Leafs have the inside track on acquiring him. Judging by those quotes, they went to great lengths to impress him and did just that. If he has also gone to the level of having tests performed (I’m assuming fitness-related), there’s little doubt the Leafs are serious about landing him, and should definitely be considered the favourites to this point.

As we mentioned last week, Zaitsev will remain under contract with CSKA Moscow until April 30, 2016. He notched 32 points in 57 games for the club this past season.