Zaitsev was a revelation in 2016-17. His 36 points were the third best rookie scoring total among rearguards behind only Zach Werenski (47) and Brady Skjei (39), and he averaged a remarkable 22 minutes per game in the Buds' top four. Zaitsev's skating is strong, so he was often sent over the boards to deal with the opponent's best, so he was run down by the time the Leafs were done. Zaitsev headed back home to Russia this summer with a few goals in mind -- getting bigger and stronger, building on his skating and improving his shot. His new seven-year contract extension ($4.5 million per season) means he's a big part of the Leafs' future, and we expect a jump in his production this season, including on the power play. Best of all, Zaitsev's return-on-investment should be high given his expected lower draft position.

Zaitsev is a silky-smooth, two-time KHL All-Star who controls the game from the back end using great skating and excellent poise. He's not physical, but he's good with his stick, breaking up plays with body positioning and angling. Zaitsev has a good shot and can walk the line on the power play, and he's a coveted right shot. He has the potential to be a top-four defender in time if he can adjust to the physicality of playing on the smaller NHL ice. Zaitsev's KHL experience will give him a leg up on several guys in training camp and he might even start the season as the team's No. 4 defender. He will struggle at times – he just moved halfway around the world to one of North America's biggest cities, just to play hockey. But Zaitsev could be a 20-minute, 35-to-40 point defender in a few short years.