Report: Leafs plan to trade Zaitsev to Senators for Ceci

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a tentative deal in place for Ottawa Senators defenseman Cody Ceci, with defenseman Nikita Zaitsev going the other way, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.

The deal can't be finalized until the Leafs pay Zaitsev's $3-million signing bonus on July 1, and it's likely Toronto will need to add another piece to the trade to sweeten the pot, McKenzie adds.

Ceci is a restricted free agent and in need of a new deal. The Senators selected the 25-year-old with the 15th overall pick in the 2012 draft, and he tied a career high with 26 points in 74 games last season.

There are five years remaining on Zaitsev's seven-year, $31.5-million contract signed with the Maple Leafs ahead of the 2017-18 season. The Russian rearguard requested a trade from the team in May.

Zaitsev posted three goals and 14 points over 81 games for the Leafs this past season.