Senators recall defenceman Nikita Zaitsev from AHL

Ottawa Senators' Nikita Zaitsev looks to pass the puck during the second period of the team's NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, in Elmont, N.Y. (Frank Franklin II/AP)

The Ottawa Senators have recalled defenceman Nikita Zaitsev from the AHL’s Belleville Senators. No corresponding move was immediately announced.

The right-handed defenceman was placed on waivers back on Nov. 9 after a tumultuous start to his season, totalling just one assist in seven games to go along with a minus-3. 

Zaitsev has also been scratched for the Senators multiple times this season. In three games in the AHL, the 31-year-old didn’t register a point and was a minus-3.

Zaitsev has two more seasons to go on the seven-year, $31.5-million deal he signed in 2017 with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Senators acquired Zaitsev in July of 2019 in a summer blockbuster with the Maple Leafs.

For his Senators career, Zaitsev has seven goals and 34 assists for 41 points in 182 regular season games.

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