Winnipeg says no.

Why? A high end pick and a solid RHD shot defenseman at $3.5 million.

As a fan of TOR and WPG both teams would decline. Zaitsev is a constant anchor when he is on the ice, and his contract is a cap-killer. No one should want to take him on even at a reduced salary. I can only pray Dubas fleeces some dumbass GM into taking him.

The number 11 pick is enticing, but Zaitsev's contract (even at 3.5 mil) is is not. Winnipeg would be more likley to accept the 2nd rounder you used to aquire Zaitzev instead.

11th overall is good but not that good. A guy who is a top pairing D, right hand shot, 25 years old, gets 50 points with barely any PP time cause his primary role is shutting down the opposition’s best line- is worth a lot more. Nobody willingly takes Zaitsev.