Report: Leafs trading Brown, Zaitsev to Sens for Ceci on Monday

The Toronto Maple Leafs will reportedly send forward Connor Brown and defenseman Nikita Zaitsev to the Ottawa Senators on Monday in exchange for defenseman Cody Ceci, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.

At least six pieces (players and draft picks) are included in the deal, but those are the key players involved, McKenzie adds. Zaitsev has a $3 million bonus that is scheduled to be paid out Monday by the Maple Leafs before the deal is completed.

Zaitsev has reportedly waived his no trade clause in order to make the trade possible, according to TSN's Darren Dreger. The 27-year-old requested a trade from the team in May.

The Russian rearguard has five years remaining on his current contract with an average annual value of $4.5 million.

Ceci, who is a restricted free agent and is in need of a new deal, enjoyed a career season with the Senators, posting 26 points in 74 games.

Brown hasn't been able to replicate the offensive production he saw in his 20-goal rookie campaign, but he did contribute 29 points in 82 games in a depth role for the Leafs last season. His current deal has one year remaining with a team-friendly cap hit of $2.1 million.

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