Nikita Zaitsev: “The KHL has become a very strong league. You can’t complete the game here, you have to work like a horse.

32 years old Nikita Zaitsev spent eight seasons in the NHL, playing for Toronto, Ottawa and Chicago. Last season, the defender scored 7 points (2+5) in 38 matches. Certainly, injuries prevented me from gaining good momentum. But Zaitsev enjoyed an excellent position in any club and played his role – he could strengthen the majority, but once he was put in the minority and allowed to work strictly in defense.

Now the contract is over. Zaitsev can continue his career in the KHL. According to my information, CSKA and SKA made him serious offers. And on Saturday, during the Children’s Unison Cup tournament, Zaitsev stood on the balcony with the head coach of the St. Petersburg club Roman Rotenberg. But in an interview with , Rotenberg said his club especially wanted to strengthen the defensive line…

“I had a very good season, but an injury hampered me”

— Nikita, how long ago did you arrive in Russia?

– Ten days ago.

— How do you rate your season in Chicago?

— I think I played very well in this championship until I got injured. I broke my tibia. Then I recovered for six weeks. Then everything was fine too, but before the injury I played better – I scored, scored points… Now I am completely healthy, 100%, and I feel good.

— I think you will have no problem finding a new contract in the NHL. How do you see the rest of your career?

— It’s very simple, I need to train a lot this summer. And I’ve already started doing that, I’m going to the gym again. I’m not thinking about my overall future yet, there’s still time. Soon everything will be visible. My main task now is to work and not think about anything else.

— Will you wait until July 1, when the NHL free agent market opens? Is this a tactic?

“My tactic is just to practice.” This is the most important, the rest will follow.

— How were you injured?

— There were regular clashes when we played San Jose, and I happened to get hit in the knee. It’s unpleasant, but there are such moments.

— We know you as an offensive defenseman, but in Toronto and Ottawa, you were used as a homebody. How did it go with the Blackhawks?

— By the way, in “Chicago” they almost didn’t use me as a focus, and I didn’t even play much in the minority. In the first half of the season, before the injury, I played a lot in the offensive zone. I scored points, made passes and everything went well. And then… Well, it happens, no one is immune from injury, it just happened.

“They even kicked Bédard off the ice, he’s a hard worker.”

— How did you like the experience of playing with Connor Bédard?

— Besides being very talented, this guy is simply an incredibly hard worker. He doesn’t leave the rink at all, they even kicked him out of there. Because the staff also wants to rest, and here Bédard is running on the ice. He even comes on weekends, works out at the gym, does stretching and eats very healthy. Connor is a true professional and we can learn a lot from him, even though Bédard is only 18 years old.

— When you played in Toronto, you saw Auston Matthews very young. Who is more talented – Matthews or Bédard?

— Bédard is more to himself, a closed and calm person. They are completely different people, even though Matthews is also a mad professional.

– What are your plans for the summer?

“I’m just going to practice slowly here.” It’s been a long time since I came home: the baby was born and they brought him to show his parents.

— Were you able to watch the highlights of KHL games in North America?

— And I watched the final playoff games in their entirety. You know, hockey in the KHL has changed a lot, it has become much faster. It also depends on the sites.

— Has the game gotten closer to the NHL?

– I would say yes. I’ve talked to a lot of guys and we have a common opinion. The organization itself in the KHL has become a little higher. The speeds are increasing and the game itself is enjoyable to watch.

— Are you surprised that Metallurg beat Lokomotiv in just four final matches?

— I haven’t seen much of the updated Magnitogorsk, and it was interesting to look at it. But now, hockey is such that nothing surprises anymore. Anyone can beat anyone, especially since it’s the playoffs, where there are always surprises.

— Do you think CSKA had such a brutal restart, removing many star players from the roster?

— Perestroika is happening, what else can you call it? This is practiced all over the world and it does not surprise me. This management decides how to further develop the team. It will be interesting to see what happens next.

— Do you communicate with anyone from CSKA?

— To be honest, I don’t know many people there anymore since I played there. Everything has already changed a lot after I left.

— If you decide to continue your career in the KHL, will you come here to finish the match? Or do you want to build a new career in Russia?

– You know, wherever I am, I will continue to plow like a horse. I’m definitely not going to finish the game. Better finish! I don’t really understand this word – finish the game. The KHL has become a pretty strong league. And you have to come here to work hard. You have to be ready to play. Well, you can complete the game in Spain or Italy.

— It’s not just that you are next to the head coach of SKA at a children’s tournament. A sure sign that you will continue your career in St. Petersburg.

– I don’t know such a sign. But I was invited and I came with pleasure. Because the tournament takes place under the auspices of the “Red Machine”, and I always came with pleasure to the national team. I consider it a great honor when a member of the national team takes an interest in you. Plus, kids play here. And now I have a lot of free time.

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