Report: Leafs, Senators working on Zaitsev deal

The Toronto Maple Leafs are working on a deal to send defenseman Nikita Zaitsev to the Ottawa Senators, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman on Saturday.

The 27-year-old is due for a $3-million bonus paid out on July 1, so it's unlikely the Leafs will be able to move him before then.

There are five years remaining on Zaitsev's seven-year, $31.5-million contract signed with the Maple Leafs ahead of the 2017-18 season. The Russian rearguard requested a trade in May.

The Leafs hold a projected $5.54 million in cap space with restricted free agent Mitch Marner still needing a new deal. However, the team can place Nathan Horton and his $5.3 million cap hit on long-term injured reserve to free up space.

Zaitsev posted three goals and 14 points over 81 games for the Leafs this past season.

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