BUFFALO

One reason why Nikita Zaitsevis thrilled at the prospect of making Toronto home for the foreseeable future (not including, of course, the guaranteed millions that come in the seven-year contract he is rumoured to be close to signing) is the fan interest in the Maple Leafs.

Simply, it’s like nothing Zaitsev has seen before.



“It is absolutely different,” Zaitsev said. “I used to play in Moscow (in the Kontinental Hockey League), where there was 2,000 people in the rink in the playoff games.



“Here (in Toronto), everybody is crazy. I was surprised at that. When we had military night, everybody came to me (on the ice after the game) and talked to me about how I am doing this year. All these guys are watching our games.



“I meet people everywhere in the city and they (say to) me, ‘Are you going to make the playoffs this year?’ That’s why you come to work every day and enjoy it. Sometimes I am recognized. It’s really good. I really enjoy that.”



As for the contract, Zaitsev naturally wants to get it done, but it’s not something that is a mental drain.



“I am really excited to be in Toronto for a long time, but I don’t think about it right now,” Zaitsev said. “I’m just thinking about our games and I am so excited about the playoffs.”



Leafs coach Mike Babcock has little time for those who might look at Zaitsev’s minus-21, the worst on the Leafs, and decide the 25-year-old Russian is not worthy of a long-term contract.



Among the critics of the alleged contract has been TV commentator Don Cherry.



“If you look at it from the outside and you’re not around, you can say (Zaitsev) has been a minus player, but I think he has been an unreal player and I think he puts out tons of fires,” Babcock said, not naming outside names.



“For a rookie to step into our league and do what he has been able to do, I think it’s fantastic. Unbelievable person, unbelievable pro and I’m hoping he is going to be a Leaf for a long time because he is an upper-echelon player.”



LESSONS LEARNED



That the Leafs on Saturday in Detroit won for just the third time this season when trailing after the first period spoke to the team’s growth, veteran Matt Martinthought.



“We are not collapsing like we used to, we are finding ways to pick up points and get wins, and at the end of the day, that is the most important thing,” Martin said. “There are games you play great and lose, and there are games you don’t play well and win. It was back and forth (against the Red Wings, which eventually was a 5-4 Leafs win). We weren’t great structurally but we found a way to win.”



The Leafs’ three wins that have come when down after the first period were tied with Anaheim for fewest in the National Hockey League.



LOOSE LEAFS



Morgan Rielly, who signed a six-year contract with the Leafs last April, on what Zaitsev should expect once the latter’s contract is done: “We’re not quite sure what is going to happen, but when it does, it makes you feel very comfortable in your surroundings and I think it helps the relationship (with the organization) knowing there is trust on both sides. He has definitely earned it.” … Though the opposite may seem to be true, not all Leafs rookie records will be broken in the 2016-17 season. Safe are those held by Borje Salming, who was plus-38 in 1973-74, and Bob McGill, who had 263 penalty minutes in 1981-82.