Photo courtesy of Russia Hockey on Twitter

Fantasy Summary

A versatile bruiser that can hold his own on offense and defense. Needs to develop further to stand out from the pack.


Observations

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July 2024 – Zaitsev is a capable KHL defenseman but doesn’t have much in his game that seems to put him over the edge as a future NHLer, and now 26 years old, it doesn’t seem like it’ll happen. Austin Kelly

March 2020 – Zaitsev still may need another year in the KHL with Dynamo. His discipline improved as he took fewer penalties. However, his shot and skating ability still need some work. Whatever he hits, he destroys. Zaitsev just has to learn to move with a bit more agility.  Chris Wassel 

March 2019 – Zaitsev is a long-term project who should be in the worlds. His ability to dole out punishment is efficient and at times, brutal! He must work on being a bit more fleet of foot and learning the North American game. He should come over for next season. Chris Wassel

July 2017 – A confident and physically crushing blueliner that doles out mean and effective hits. Not the quickest, but he can get around reasonably well on the ice and is a skilled puck mover. Amassed 44 penalty minutes in 24 VHL games last year. Also not the largest of prospects at 6-0, 185-pounds but he’s strong and muscular, possessing a hard shot and decent playmaking ability. Zaitsev is a versatile special teams component, serving both on the man advantage and penalty kill. Kevin Wickersham

Attributes
Fantasy Upside 3.5
NHL Certainty 3.5
Country RUS
Position D
Roster Type Europe
Shoot/Glove Left
Date of Birth May 3, 1998
Height 5‘11”
Weight 185 lbs
Drafted 2017 Round 7; Overall: 205

Stats

 Season Team League GP G A TP PIM      Playoffs GP G A TP PIM 
 2014-2015 CSKA Moskva U17Russia U17 Finals6 0 11 10|        
  Dynamo Moskva U17Russia U175 0 11 14|        
  MHK Dynamo MoskvaMHL27 2 24 14|Playoffs2 0 00
  Russia U17WHC-176 0 00 4|        
  Russia U17 (all)International-Jr10 0 33 10|        
 2015-2016 Dynamo KrasnogorskVHL16 0 11 2|Playoffs8 0 00 10 
  MHK Dynamo MoskvaMHL11 1 56 12|        
 2016-2017 Dynamo MoskvaKHL19 0 11 10|Playoffs2 0 00
  Dynamo KrasnogorskVHL24 2 46 44|Playoffs5 0 11 15 
  MHK Dynamo MoskvaMHL2 0 11 4|        
  Russian Selects U20Jr Super Series6 0 00 6|        
 2017-2018 Dynamo MoskvaKHL28 0 22 30|        
  Russian Selects U20Jr Super Series6 0 11 6|        
  MHK Dynamo MoskvaMHL7 2 13 6|        
  Russia U20WJC-205 0 11 4|        
  Russia U20 (all)International-Jr16 1 34 12|        
 2018-2019 Dynamo MoskvaKHL47 1 12 41|Playoffs11 2 02
  Buran VoronezhVHL5 0 11 2|        
 2019-2020 Dynamo MoskvaKHL58 3 1114 39|Playoffs6 0 11
  Russia II (all)International3 0 11 2|        
  Russia II Deutschland Cup3 0 11 2|        
 2020-2021 Dynamo MoskvaKHL58 1 89 48|Playoffs10 0 22
 2021-2022 Dynamo MoskvaKHL45 2 79 36|Playoffs11 0 22
 2022-2023 Dynamo MoskvaKHL35 1 23 26|Playoffs1 0 00
 2023-2024 Spartak MoskvaKHL64 4 1115 46|Playoffs11 0 11
 2024-2025 Spartak MoskvaKHL17 0 33 0|        

Highlights