Top Cheddar 2026-27
2016-17 to 2023-24 TOP CHEDDAR HOCKEY #22 NIKITA ZAITSEV Toronto Maple Leafs · Defense
EX Career
5
Card #CAREER-08479458
Nikita Zaitsev in action
22 D Defense
59 OVR
Nikita Zaitsev Toronto Maple Leafs
9 NHL seasons · 2016-17 to 2023-24
2023-24

Career Report

5 Excellent 5

Graded on the Game Score of their best 5 seasons, ranked among retired defense.

Season Team GP P OVR Grade
2020-21 OTT 55 17 65 6
2016-17 TOR 82 36 65 7
2023-24 CHI 38 7 58 4
2017-18 TOR 60 13 57 5
2018-19 TOR 81 14 49 4

Connections

Every goal of his career he scored or set up, from the play-by-play.

Set up most by

C 66OVR Nazem Kadri Avalanche 3 of his goals D 77OVR Ron Hainsey Hurricanes 2 of his goals R 98OVR William Nylander Maple Leafs 2 of his goals R 94OVR Mitch Marner Golden Knights 2 of his goals

Set up most

C 95OVR Auston Matthews Maple Leafs Set up 8 goals C 66OVR Nazem Kadri Avalanche Set up 8 goals R 78OVR Connor Brown Devils Set up 7 goals L 90OVR James van Riemsdyk Flyers Set up 6 goals

Most time together

D 94OVR Jake Gardiner Maple Leafs 2,009 min together R 78OVR Connor Brown Devils 2,007 min together D 78OVR Thomas Chabot Senators 1,684 min together C 66OVR Nazem Kadri Avalanche 1,242 min together

Best with

C 89OVR John Tavares Maple Leafs 17–14 in goals together L 72OVR Andreas Johnsson Maple Leafs 14–12 in goals together R 94OVR Mitch Marner Golden Knights 46–40 in goals together L 56OVR Matt Martin Islanders 12–11 in goals together
Scored on most
Braden Holtby 2 goals Henrik Lundqvist 1 goal Mike Smith 1 goal
Best game
March 22, 2017 vs CBJ: 1G · 1A

Rivals

His fights, hit rivals, and faceoff duels across his career, from the play-by-play (hits and faceoffs from 2009-10 on).

Hit most

C 89OVR John Tavares Maple Leafs Hit him 10 times L 91OVR Tomas Tatar Red Wings Hit him 8 times C 74OVR Alexander Kerfoot Predators Hit him 8 times C 71OVR Aleksander Barkov Panthers Hit him 8 times

Hit most by

L 82OVR Paul Byron Canadiens Hit by him 10 times L 91OVR Tomas Tatar Red Wings Hit by him 10 times L 52OVR Marcus Foligno Wild Hit by him 10 times R 67OVR Josh Anderson Canadiens Hit by him 8 times
1 fight with 1 opponent
Paul Byron 1 fight