Russian defenseman Zaitsev 'pleasantly shocked' by reception from Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs nailed the opportunity to make a fine first impression on Nikita Zaitsev.

The 23-year-old defenseman recently visited the so-called "center of the hockey universe," and while he has a year remaining on a contract with KHL club SKA Moscow, he very much liked what he saw in Toronto.

From Igor Eronko of Sports.ru:

I can’t sign anything now but I visited the Leafs and was pleasantly shocked by the reception. I visited the office and the arena, locker-room, talked to the general manager and the head coach and was very impressed.

The Leafs were the only team that had a real big interest in me. I did some tests during the visit. I want to leave the KHL as a winner and I’ll spend the year in Russia to be absolutely prepared for the NHL.

Zaitsev, known for his effective two-way game, has spent six seasons in the KHL, posting 12 goals and 20 assists in 57 games for SKA this past season.

The club, which features former NHL forward Alex Radulov, fell in the Western Conference finals to the eventual league champions from St. Petersburg.

Zaitsev also won a gold medal with Russia at the 2011 World Junior Championships.

If and when he decides to make the jump to North America, which could happen as early as next summer, the Maple Leafs appear to have the inside track on securing his services.