PITTSBURGH

Nikita Zaitsev figured he would give it a try. After all, from where he stood it looked so easy.

It was a year ago when the Russian-born defenceman watched Artemi Panarin leave the KHL and head overseas as an undrafted 24-year-old. The Chicago Blackhawks forward not only won the Calder Trophy as a rookie, but he also finished in the top-10 in scoring.

But just because Panarin took the league by storm does not mean Zaitsev is predicting as smooth a transition when he makes his NHL debut.

“He’s a great player, so I knew he was going to be a star here,” Zaitsev, whom the Toronto Maple Leafs signed as an undrafted free agent this summer, said of Panarin. “We’ll see how I do. I hope I play in the NHL this year. I’ll do everything to do that.”

Like Panarin, Toronto’s new defenceman comes with a ton of fanfare. He won back-to-back championships with CSKA Moscow, leading the team’s defence in scoring with 26 points in 46 games this season, and was named to the all-star team at the world championship in May.

The 24-year-old, who had half a dozen teams interested in signing him, has continued that strong play at the World Cup where he has been one of Russia’s top defencemen in the pre-tournament exhibition games.

“I haven’t seen a whole bunch of him,” said Leafs head coach Mike Babcock. “I like that (Russia’s) putting him out (on the top defensive pairing). I like that he’s out there all the time. That must mean he’s a good player ... if he’s important to them, that means that he’s got a chance to be an important Leaf.”

When asked why he chose to sign with the Leafs, Zaitsev mentioned the team’s young talent like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander. In particular, he is looking forward to potentially playing with defenceman Morgan Rielly.

“I was watching him a little bit at the worlds,” Zaitsev said of Rielly. “Good defenceman. A good skater. We’ll see if we play together. Good young guys, I think. We’ve got a good group of young guys. It’s going to be interesting to watch. Lots of skill.”

Based on his potential, some believe you might be able to add Zaitsev to that group.

“I think it’s great that he’s playing in the World Cup right now and he’s playing on this ice against the best players in the world,” said Washington Capitals defenceman Dmitri Orlov. “It’s going to be his first year in the NHL but he’s got confidence in his game.

“He’ll be a great player for Toronto.”

* * *

It was after Czech Republic defenceman Roman Polak buried North America's Connor McDavid into the end boards with a questionable hit that Auston Matthews cross-checked Polak from behind.

According to Matthews, he was just sticking up for his captain. But in the process, he introduced himself to his future teammate with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“Yeah, I was saying ‘hi' to Roman,” said Matthews with a laugh.

“That’s the good part about the hockey,” said Polak. “One day you are playing against each other, another day you are on the same team.”

So what will Polak say to Matthews when they see each other at training camp?

“Nice job,” said Polak. “He’s a young kid. He needs to learn a bit. But you know, he did a good job there on me. I kind of felt it on my back. It was a good cross-check, I have to give him that.”

* * *

When Connor McDavid went without a point in two exhibition games against Team Europe, he brushed it off as no big deal. After all, the team had won both games and had combined for 11 goals.

But after failing to land on the scoresheet in a 3-2 loss to the Czech Republic, the North American captain took what might be termed as a mini-slump a bit more seriously.

“I think I’m probably passing up too many opportunities,” said McDavid, who had four shots on Wednesday night. “I had a few opportunities where I should have shot it, so that’s something I have to figure out.”

Head coach Todd McLellan, who has played McDavid with just about everybody on the team in hopes of finding chemistry, is confident the offence is going to come.

“Personally, I’m not concerned,” said McLellan. “I thought tonight was his best game. There was an intensity level that went up even more as the night went on and had a number of chances and opportunities."

* * *

After posting a shutout against Europe in his first start and stopping 16 of 17 shots in two periods of work against the Czech Republic, it looks like Matt Murray will be North America’s No. 1 goalie moving forward.

“He’s been really good,” said McLellan. “I’m not ready to anoint him yet, but you’ve got good eyes and you’ve seen him play.”

* * *

Matthews provided fans with a minor scare after taking a shot off his right foot. It looked like he got lucky, considering he stayed in the game and ended up scoring a goal. But afterwards, the Leafs No. 1 overall pick admitted he was still in some discomfort.

“It’s just one of those things when you block a shot it stings,” said Matthews. “For all I know it’s fine.”

mtraikos@postmedia.com

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