Former NHLer Nikita Zaitsev signs four-year contract with SKA St. Petersburg

A Russian blueliner is heading back home.

On Thursday, it was announced that defenseman Nikita Zaitsev signed a four-year contract with SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League.

Zaitsev spent the last eight seasons in the NHL. He came to North America from Russia and joined the Toronto Maple Leafs for the 2016-17 season. After making an impact in his rookie campaign, the Moscow native signed a seven-year contract with an AAV of $4.5 million.

Unfortunately, Zaitsev was unable to meet the expectations that came with the deal. After two disappointing seasons with the Maple Leafs, he was traded to the Ottawa Senators in July 2019. The 6-foot-2 defender played over four seasons with the Sens before he was sent to the Chicago Blackhawks in February 2023. He was in the lineup just 38 times this past year with the Hawks, scoring two goals and seven points, with a plus/minus of -5.

In his 482-game NHL career, Zaitsev notched 22 goals and 96 assists with a -54 rating. In 18 Stanley Cup Playoff appearances, all with Toronto, he posted two assists and a -10 rating.

It will be the first time since the 2015-16 campaign that Zaitsev will be in the KHL. Prior to signing with the Leafs, he played three seasons with CSKA Moscow, including serving as an alternate captain in his last season before coming to the NHL. He also played parts of four seasons with Sibir Novosibirsk.

In 317 KHL games, Zaitsev scored 32 goals and 63 assists with +41 rating. He also registered 24 points in 51 Gagarin Cup appearances. Zaitsev is a two-time All-Star, and was named first-team all-star, twice.

Internationally, Zaitsev won gold with Russia at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship, and bronze at the 2019 Men’s World Championship.