Blackhawks' Nikita Zaitsev: Scores first goal this season
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Zaitsev scored a goal on one shot in the Blackhawks' 6-1 loss to the Capitals on Thursday.
Zaitsev shot a puck from the point that beat Darcy Kuemper to put the Blackhawks on the board. This goal was Zaitsev's first point as a member of the Blackhawks since being dealt from Ottawa earlier this season. On the season, Zaitsev has one goal and six points in 38 games.
Blackhawks' Nikita Zaitsev: Activated off non-roster list
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Zaitsev (not injury related) was activated off the non-roster list Friday, Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Zaitsev has resolved his immigration issues, so he could make his Blackhawks debut as soon as Saturday against Nashville. He picked up five helpers through 28 games with the Senators before being traded to Chicago on Feb. 22.
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Blackhawks' Nikita Zaitsev: Lands on non-roster list
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Zaitsev was placed on the non-roster list Friday, per CapFriendly.
Zaitsev was acquired from Ottawa on Wednesday and now his Blackhawks debut will be delayed. It's unclear why he has the non-roster designation, but it could be due to a visa issue. He'll be out indefinitely until an update is available.
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Blackhawks' Nikita Zaitsev: Traded with draft picks to Chicago
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Zaitsev has been dealt to Chicago from Ottawa along with a 2023 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-round selection in exchange for future considerations.
Zaitsev has five assists, 43 blocks and 61 hits in 28 games while averaging 17:14 of ice time with Ottawa this season. He's signed to a seven-year, $31.5 million contract through 2023-24, so Chicago is essentially taking on his remaining cap burden and getting two draft picks as compensation. Zaitsev might benefit from getting a fresh opportunity with the Blackhawks, but it wouldn't be surprising if he ends up serving on the third pairing.
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Senators' Nikita Zaitsev: Garners assist in narrow loss
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Zaitsev recorded an assist in Friday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Blackhawks.
Zaitsev has been limited to 26 games this season; he was waived and subsequently sent to AHL Belleville in December, and the rugged defenseman also battled through a lower-body injury that kept him off the ice for 12 contests. Nonetheless, Zaitsev is healthy now, logging four straight contests with three hits and two blocked shots, and he also has a pair of helpers in that span. Fantasy managers won't be flocking to Zaitsev, but this is his fourth season with the Senators, and he remains a serviceable stay-at-home blueliner.
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Senators' Nikita Zaitsev: Ready to return
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Zaitsev (lower body) is expected to return to the lineup Wednesday against the Islanders, TSN 1200 Ottawa reports.
Zaitsev skated alongside Erik Brannstrom during Monday's practice. Coach D.J. Smith said announced that the Senators defender has been cleared to return following the session. Zaitsev, who last played Dec. 27, has compiled three assists, 15 shots on goal, 33 blocks and 39 hits in 19 games this season.
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Senators' Nikita Zaitsev: Won't play during trip
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Zaitsev (lower body) is traveling with the team but won't play during its three-game road trip, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports Wednesday.
Zaitsev has already missed Ottawa's last six contests and will now be out of action for at least three more. The veteran defender has yet to score a goal in 19 games this season while adding just three assists. Given his limited offensive upside, Zaitsev shouldn't be expected to offer more than mid-range fantasy value.
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Senators' Nikita Zaitsev: Placed on injured reserve
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Zaitsev (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Thursday, per the NHL media site.
Zaitsev is expected to miss some time, though the team has yet to provide a clearer timeline for when to expect him back. For now, the blueliner will be out for at least the next four games due to his IR destination. Fortunately for the team, Jacob Bernard-Docker is ready to return from an ankle injury of his own.
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Senators' Nikita Zaitsev: Expected to miss time
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Zaitsev (lower body) is facing a stint on the sidelines after coach D.J. Smith told reporters Wednesday, "He'll certainly be out for the next little bit, Ian Mendes of TSN 1200 Ottawa reports.
Zaitsev has yet to score a goal this season and has added just a mere three assists in 19 appearances. At this pace, Zaitsev will likely miss the 20-point threshold for the sixth consecutive year. Without Zaitsev in the lineup, Travis Hamonic and Jake Sanderson should both see an uptick in minutes.
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Senators' Nikita Zaitsev: Exits with lower-body injury
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Zaitsev (lower body) won't return to Tuesday's game versus the Bruins.
Zaitsev was injured in the first period of the contest. He joins Jacob Bernard-Docker (ankle), Erik Brannstrom (lower body) and Artem Zub (jaw) as ailing blueliners for the Senators. If Zaitsev can't play Thursday versus the Capitals, Ottawa may recall a blueliner.
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Senators' Nikita Zaitsev: Seeking more shots to score
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Zaitsev earned a first-period assist during a 3-0 win over the visiting Ducks on Monday.
Zaitsev, who collected his first point in seven games, released a shot that Parker Kelly redirected past goalie Lukas Dostal for what proved to be the game-winning goal Monday. The 31-year-old defenseman has recorded just five shots in 13 outings this season -- including none in the prior two. Zaitsev, who has 105 career points in 411 outings, added three blocks in the win.
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Senators' Nikita Zaitsev: Recalled from AHL
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Zaitsev was recalled from AHL Belleville on Thursday.
Zaitsev was sent down Nov. 18 after he cleared waivers nine days earlier. He was held pointless in three games with Belleville before his promotion and has one assist in seven games with Ottawa this season.
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Senators' Nikita Zaitsev: AHL bound
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Zaitsev was sent to AHL Belleville on Friday.
Zaitsev was placed on waivers over a week ago, and cleared Nov. 10, but remained with the Senators as a healthy scratch Wednesday. He had one assist in seven games this season and will now play in the AHL for the first time in his professional career.
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Senators' Nikita Zaitsev: Remains with big club
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Zaitsev remained on the Senators' roster after clearing waivers last Thursday, per the NHL media site.
Zaitsev has fallen out of favor with the team as evidenced by his placement on waivers, but he's still around as a seventh defenseman. The move was likely made to create roster flexibility, but his poor play to begin the year will make it tough for the 31-year-old to get back in the lineup.
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Senators' Nikita Zaitsev: Put on waivers
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Zaitsev was waived by Ottawa on Wednesday, per Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press.
Zaitsev has an assist in seven games this season while averaging 15:14 of ice time. He comes with a $4.5 million cap hit for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns, so he'll probably clear waivers.
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Senators' Nikita Zaitsev: Expected to play Thursday
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Zaitsev will be in Ottawa's lineup for Thursday's contest with Minnesota, per Wayne Scanlan of the Ottawa Citizen.
Zaitsev will take over for Nick Holden on the Sens' third pairing. The 30-year-old blueliner has played in just one game so far this season, recording six hits in just over 12 minutes. Zaitsev played 62 games last season, recording two goals and nine assists. He should continue to shift in and out of the lineup.
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Senators' Nikita Zaitsev: Not seeing much playing time
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Zaitsev has appeared in just one of four games to start the season.
Zaitsev's lone appearance took place last Saturday, when he doled out six hits in a 3-2 loss to the Maple Leafs. The Senators will reevaluate defenseman Jake Sanderson (face) ahead of Saturday's game against the Coyotes, and Zaitsev may rejoin the lineup if Sanderson is deemed unfit to play.
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Senators' Nikita Zaitsev: Ready to play against Devils
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Zaitsev (illness) will be in action versus New Jersey on Tuesday, TSN 1200 Ottawa reports.
Zaitsev returns following a one-game stint on the sidelines due to illness. Even prior to being sidelined, the 30-year-old blueliner was mired in a 10-game goal drought during which he registered just six shots on net, though he did pick up three helpers over that stretch.
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Senators' Nikita Zaitsev: Under the weather
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Zaitsev won't play Saturday versus Montreal due to a non-COVID illness, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports.
Zaitsev can be considered day-to-day with his illness. Luckily for the Senators, Thomas Chabot (hand) is now healthy and will take Zaitsev's spot in the lineup against the Canadiens.
