Former Leafs defenseman lands on waivers

Signed by Lou Lamoriello to a 7-year, $31.5M contract in the summer of 2017, Nikita Zaitsev was shipped off to Ottawa along with Connor Brown on July 1, 2019 to free up cap space for the Leafs by Kyle Dubas.

It is one of the many Lou moves that Dubas has had to correct since becoming GM of the Leafs. Zaitsev is currently in year six of that deal and today, the Sens placed him on waivers after being surpassed on the depth chart by the likes of Jacob Bernard-Docker and Jake Sanderson.

Along with Zaitsev, Ottawa also placed G Magnus Hellberg on waivers. The Sens weren't only team active with waivers today as the Bruins placed defenseman Mike Reilly on waivers as well, as they clear a roster spot for the return of Charlie McAvoy this week. In year 2 of a 3-year deal that will see him earn $3M per season, Reilly has been passed on the depth chart by Jakub Zboril and Connor Clifton.

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