Quoting: BeterChiarelli
The next time ol' Nicky turns and bombs the puck down the ice for an unnecessary icing without taking a second to look for an available teammate, or gets beat cleanly, I want you to look at your post and strongly consider the choices you've made in life to get to where you are.
Zaitsev is about on par with Kris Russell - save for handedness - in terms of effectiveness, and I hold Russell at a phenomenally low standard. I'm convinced that the Leafs' success against Boston in the first round hinges on Zaitsev overperforming or the group of Reilly, Hainsey, Muzzin, and healthy Dermott+Gardiner being able to outperform his blunders. Is he a better option than Ohziganov? Definitely, but I'd be seriously considering playing Holl over Zaitsev every single game for the rest of the season and playoffs.
I think you mis-understand my argument.
I am in no way saying Zaitzev is good (overall) right now.
I am saying that there are aspects to his game that are good qualities (on the defensive side without the puck and in retrieving it).
After getting the puck, he panics and throws it away, and that is the issue. Even with that in mind, he can play 20+ mins a night at replacement level against top 6 lines. He would be used best in a lesser role, at a much lower contract in terms of both aav and term.
The offensive game, if he ever recovered it, combined with his currently replacement level defensiveness against top lines in big minutes and a usage reduction to a pure #4, would make him a fine #4 Dman was my point. As is, his offence numbers (which I believe includes the giveaways/dump-ins you mention) is what really hurts.
For reference, standard deviation is ~ +/- 1, so being between 0 and -1 is ~ replacement level. Add in his usage and the picture becomes clear.