22 Nikita Zaitsev D

Zaitsev picked up two assists in Friday's 5-3 win over the Maple Leafs.

It was a revenge game for the former Toronto blueliner, as Zaitsev notched two helpers in less than five minutes during the second period, including one on Chris Tierney's eventual game-winner. The 29-year-old has never come close to matching the production he delivered as a rookie in 2016-17, but with a spot on the Sens' second power-play unit and an improving roster around him, he should be able to top the 12 points in 58 games he managed last season.

Zaitsev managed three points in the final seven games before the hiatus.

Zaitsev just hasn't been the same kind of offensive threat since his rookie year, as he's become far more of a defensive player. He's cut back on his plus-minus deficit, but that's the only way his fantasy value has improved since 2017. He can be safely ignored in virtually all formats.

Zaitsev scored an empty-net goal and added four hits with two PIM in Tuesday's 5-2 win over Buffalo.

Zaitsev scored his first goal of the season when he hit the empty net from the defensive zone with just six seconds left in the third period. He hadn't lit the lamp since March 2, 2019 with Toronto, a stretch of 59 games without a goal. Zaitsev enjoyed a 36-point rookie season in 2016-17 but hasn't come close to matching that production since.

Zaitsev (lower body) had one shot with two blocks and two hits in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to Chicago.

Zaitsev was in the lineup for the first time since Dec. 14 and he finished his return with 17:30 of ice time on a defensive pairing with Mark Borowiecki. The 28-year-old wasn't much of a point producer over his final two years in Toronto and has just eight assists in 33 games in his first season with the Senators.

As expected, Zaitsev (lower body) will rejoin the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Blackhawks, NHL.com's Callum Fraser reports.

Zaitsev has been sidelined for nearly a month with a lower-body injury, so he'll definitely have some rust to shake off against Chicago. The 28-year-old blueliner, who's picked up eight assists in 32 games this campaign, will skate with Mark Borowiecki on the Senators' second pairing Tuesday.

Zaitsev (lower body) returned to practice Monday, TSN 1200 Ottawa reports.

Zaitsev skated on his own Sunday, and he looked good enough to rejoin the team at practice. The 28-year-old is expected be ready for Tuesday's game against the Blackhawks, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, but he'll need to be activated from IR first.

Zaitsev (lower body) has skating on his own and should return to practice this week, Ken Warren of the Ottawa Sun reports.

Zaitsev has missed the last 12 games with his lower-body injury, last playing on Dec. 14. It sounds like he's close to making his return, which could come as soon as Thursday's contest against Vegas. The Russian blueliner has eight assists in 32 games this season.

Zaitsev (lower body) is on injured reserve, per the NHL's official media site.

Zaitsev has been sidelined since mid-December with a lower-body injury and the Senators have yet to release any details regarding a potential timeline for his return. The recently acquired Mike Reilly will continue to round out Ottawa's depth on the back end until Zaitsev's ready to rejoin the lineup.

Zaitsev (lower body) has been ruled out for Tuesday's matchup with Washington, Ian Mendes of TSN 1200 Ottawa reports.

After being activated off injured reserve, it appeared Zaitsev was healthy and ready to go but remains unavailable. It's not clear if the defenseman suffered a setback in his recovery or if the team is just giving him some more time to get back to 100 percent. Dylan DeMelo (finger) looks set to rejoin the lineup with Zaitsev unavailable.

Zaitsev is listed as a scratch on Saturday's official roster report and won't dress against the Lightning as a result.

The defenseman came off injured reserve earlier in the day, leading some to believe Zaitsev would take the ice Saturday, but that's not the case. He'll sit and Christian Jaros will dress in Zaitsev's place.

Per the NHL's media site, Zaitsev (lower body) is no longer on injured reserved.

The news almost guarantees Zaitsev will be in Ottawa's lineup Saturday against the Lightning. The Russian blueliner has collected just eight assists across 32 games this season, making Zaitsev hard to trust outside of deeper formats.

Zaitsev (lower body) won't play Thursday against Florida, Brent Wallace of TSN.ca reports.

Zaitsev still isn't feeling 100 percent healthy, so he'll have to wait for Saturday's matchup with Tampa Bay for his next opportunity to return to the lineup. Either way, the 28-year-old has only picked up eight helpers in 32 games this campaign, so he isn't a viable fantasy option in most formats.

Zaitsev (lower body) is on track to return Thursday against the Panthers, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports.

Zaitsev hasn't found the net this season, so there's virtually no fantasy buzz around his return to the ice. That means he should come cheap in a daily setting, and it might be worth taking a flier on him Thursday if you need a minimally-priced player with upside in your lineup for financial flexibility to afford a big star. In season-long leagues, it's best to wait and see, as his lackluster performances the past two years suggest that he's unlikely to produce big numbers even if he's fully healthy.

Zaitsev (lower body) is facing a 2-4 week absence, Steve Lloyd of TSN 1200 Ottawa reports.

Zaitsev has already been designated for injured reserve, but he could be flipped to long-term IR if he is going to miss at least 10 games. The blueliner hasn't offered much offensively this year, as he's still looking for his first goal of the year, which limits his fantasy value.

Zaitsev (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday and will miss at least the team's next two games, Steve Lloyd of TSN 1200 Ottawa reports.

Zaitsev is still searching for his first goal of the 2019-20 campaign despite playing in 32 games.. The Russian has been unable to reproduce his 36-point rookie campaign and missed the 20-point mark in his past two seasons. Without consistent offensive production, the blueliner should be considered a mid-range fantasy option at best.

Zaitsev (lower body) will not suit up for Monday's tilt in Florida.

It will be just the second missed game this season for Zaitsev, who has eight assists in 32 games. His status for Tuesday's game in Tampa Bay is uncertain for now.

Zaitsev (personal) will play in Monday's road game against the Blue Jackets, TSN 1200 Ottawa reports.

Coach D.J. Smith confirmed that Zaitsev is back from a trip to Russia where he tended to a personal matter. The 28-year-old won't miss a beat, as he'll be reinserted into the lineup immediately. Zaitsev has recorded six points, 40 hits and 56 blocked shots over 22 contests.

Zaitsev (personal) re-joined the team Sunday and is expected to be in the lineup for Monday's game against Columbus, Hailey Salvian of The Athletic reports.

Zaitsev went back to his home country of Russia on Thursday tending to a personal matter but finally re-joined the team. His return is a positive sign for the team, as they could still be without Cody Goloubef, who is dealing with an undisclosed injury. Expect Zaitsev to return to a bottom-four defensive role for Monday.

Zaitsev has returned to Russia for personal reasons and will miss Friday's matchup with the Rangers.

Zaitsev's absence, along with an injury to Cody Goloubef (undisclosed), will force Ottawa to utilize recent call-ups Max Lajoie and Christian Jaros on Friday. The team didn't provide an immediate update on whether Zaitsev would be back in time for Monday's clash with Columbus.

Zaitsev collected an assist and finished with a plus-2 rating in a 2-1 overtime win versus Montreal on Wednesday.

Without a goal in 2019-20, Zaitsev picked up his sixth assist against the Canadiens, and he also registered two blocked shots and a minor penalty. Despite averaging a career-high 23:20 this season, Zaitsev's role with the Senators does not include power-play duties, making him a risky fantasy option most nights.