Nikita Zaitsev - NHL News & Rumors

Signs four-year deal in KHL Zaitsev penned a four-year contract with SKA St. Petersburg on Thursday, Chris Johnston of The Athletic reports.

Impact The eight-year NHL veteran defenseman played 38 regular-season games with the Blackhawks in 2023-24, scoring twice and adding five assists. Zaitsev also saw action with Toronto and Ottawa during his career. The 32-year-old has likely seen his last action in the NHL.

JULY 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not suiting up Zaitsev (illness) is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Kings, Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Zaitsev's absence will force the Blackhawks to dress 13 forwards and five defensemen for a full game roster. The 32-year-old blueliner ended up with seven points, 69 hits, 70 blocked shots and a minus-5 rating over 38 appearances with the Blackhawks this season.

APRIL 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable Thursday Zaitsev is questionable for Thursday's tilt against the Kings because of an illness, Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Zaitsev has two goals, seven points, 69 hits and 70 blocks in 38 outings this season. Connor Murphy (undisclosed) has already been ruled out for the contest, so if Zaitsev doesn't play either, then Chicago might dress just five defensemen versus LA.

APRIL 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Ready to rock Zaitsev (upper body) will return to action Sunday versus Minnesota, according to Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Impact Following a three-game absence, Zaitsev will replace Jarred Tinordi in the lineup. The 32-year-old Zaitsev has two goals, seven points, 30 shots on net, 69 blocked shots and 68 hits in 36 appearances this season.

APRIL 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Saturday Zaitsev (upper body) won't play Saturday against Dallas, Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Zaitsev will miss his third straight contest. He has picked up seven points, 30 shots on goal, 69 blocked shots and 68 hits in 36 appearances this season. Jarred Tinordi will remain in the lineup due to Zaitsev's absence.

APRIL 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Unavailable Tuesday Zaitsev (upper body) won't be in the lineup Tuesday versus the Islanders, per Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Impact Zaitsev will miss his second straight contest. He has provided seven points, 30 shots on goal, 69 blocked shots and 68 hits in 36 appearances this season. Jarred Tinordi has been playing during Zaitsev's absence.

APRIL 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Game-time call Zaitsev (upper body) will be a game-time decision for Tuesday's matchup with the Islanders, Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Even if Zaitsev's able to return against the Isles, he's picked up only seven points through 36 contests this season, so fantasy managers shouldn't need to track his status ahead of puck drop.

APRIL 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to miss out Saturday Zaitsev is slated to miss Saturday's matchup with the Flyers due to an upper-body injury, Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Zaitsev is just 10 games back from a knee injury that previously sidelined him for nearly two months. During that stretch, the blueliner has been held off the scoresheet while chipping in just 12 shots, 17 blocks and 13 hits while averaging 15:35 of ice time.

MARCH 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Exits game with injury Zaitsev sustained an undisclosed injury during Thursday's tilt against Ottawa and will miss the remainder of the contest, per Charlie Roumeliotis of NBC Sports Chicago.

Impact Zaitsev logged just 6:15 of ice time before exiting the game. If he can't play Saturday versus Philadelphia, then Jarred Tinordi might draw back into the lineup.

MARCH 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Activated Friday Zaitsev (knee) was taken off injured reserve Friday, per CapFriendly.

Impact Zaitsev has two goals and seven points in 26 contests with Chicago this season. He was last in the lineup Jan. 16 but should draw in Saturday versus Washington as a part of the third pairing.

MARCH 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Might be available for Saturday Zaitsev (knee) might be available to return for Saturday's game versus Washington, per Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Impact Zaitsev, who last played Jan. 16, has two goals, seven points, 55 hits and 52 blocks in 26 contests this season. If Zaitsev draws into the lineup Saturday, then Isaak Phillips might serve as a healthy scratch.

MARCH 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Mid-March return likely Zaitsev (knee) also suffered a bone fracture when he was injured Jan. 16 versus San Jose, according to Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Impact Zaitsev is progressing and is expected to return to action in mid-March. The defenseman has two goals, five assists, 55 hits and 52 blocked shots in 26 games in 2023-24.

FEBRUARY 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on IR Zaitsev (knee) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Charlie Roumeliotis of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Impact The Blackhawks have yet to release an expected timetable for Zaitsev's recovery, but he'll miss the next three games at a minimum now that he's on IR. Louis Crevier and Isaak Phillips will likely rotate in and out of the lineup during Zaitsev's absence.

JANUARY 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Exits Tuesday's game Zaitsev (undisclosed) won't return to Tuesday's contest against San Jose.

Impact Zaitsev logged just 8:46 of ice time prior leaving Tuesday's matchup. It's unclear at this time if he will be available for Wednesday's clash with Buffalo. Zaitsev entered Monday's action with seven points, 18 shots on goal, 51 blocked shots and 38 hits over 25 games this season.

JANUARY 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Two points against Calgary Zaitsev scored an even-strength goal and added a power-play assist in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Flames.

Impact The 32-year-old blueliner has been feast or (mostly) famine this season. In 16 games since the beginning of December, Zaitsev has three multi-point performances -- and 13 goose eggs. He's currently skating on Chicago's second power-play unit, but given that the team has more talent on IR right now than on the ice, with the absence of Connor Bedard (jaw) looming especially large, that assignment doesn't carry much fantasy appeal.

JANUARY 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go Zaitsev (illness) will return to the lineup Tuesday versus Nashville, according to Charlie Roumeliotis of NBC Sports Chicago.

Impact Zaitsev will replace Isaak Phillips in the lineup following a two-game absence. The 32-year-old Zaitsev has contributed five points, 12 shots on goal, 32 blocked shots and 29 hits over 18 appearances this campaign.

JANUARY 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Still out Sunday Zaitsev (illness) won't play Sunday versus the Stars, Mark Lazerus of The Athletic reports.

Impact Zaitsev will miss his second straight game. The 32-year-old has just five points with 32 blocked shots and 29 hits over 18 appearances this season. Louis Crevier remains in the lineup on the third pairing, while Zaitsev can be considered day-to-day ahead of Tuesday's game in Nashville.

JANUARY 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out Friday Zaitsev (undisclosed) will not suit up Friday against Dallas, Charlie Roumeliotis of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Impact Zaitsev was a late scratch and it's unclear why he's not playing. The 32-year-old has just four assists in 18 games this season. Louis Crevier will dress in his absence Friday.

DECEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dishes two helpers in win Zaitsev logged a pair of assists and two hits in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Avalanche.

Impact Zaitsev has a pair of two-assists efforts over his nine appearances in December. He set up Ryan Donato to open the scoring Tuesday, and Zaitsev also assisted on Tyler Johnson's game-winner on the power play in the third period. Zaitsev is up to five points, eight shots on net, 26 hits, 27 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating through 15 outings this season. He should remain in the lineup as long as Seth Jones (shoulder), Kevin Korchinski (personal), Jarred Tinordi (concussion) and Alex Vlasic (upper body) are out.

DECEMBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Contributes two assists Zaitsev logged a pair of assists, two blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Blues.

Impact Zaitsev was initially credited with the opening goal, but it ultimately deflected in off Anthony Beauvillier. Zaitsev also set up Jason Dickinson's second-period tally. Through his first nine outings of the season, Zaitsev failed to record a helper. He's up to three points, four shots on net, 17 hits, 16 blocked shots and a plus-5 rating over 10 contests in a bottom-four role. He'll likely continue to have steady playing time until Kevin Korchinski (personal) and Jarred Tinordi (concussion) are able to return.

DECEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Activated from non-roster list Zaitsev (personal) was activated from the non-roster list Sunday, according to Charlie Roumeliotis of NBC Sports Chicago.

Impact In a corresponding move, Filip Roos was returned to AHL Rockford. Zaitsev has chipped in one goal, three shots on net, eight blocked shots and 10 hits in five appearances this season. He will be available for Sunday's contest versus Buffalo, but could serve as a healthy scratch.

NOVEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on non-roster list Per Scott Powers of The Athletic, Zaitsev (personal) was placed on non-roster reserve Thursday.

Impact Zaitsev missed practice Wednesday and his situation is serious enough to place him on reserve. The Blackhawks recalled Filip Roos to take his spot on the roster. Zaitsev has a goal in five games and has been a healthy scratch on eight occasions this season.

NOVEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Missing from practice Wednesday Zaitsev was not in attendance for Wednesday's practice session for personal reasons, Mark Lazerus of The Athletic reports.

Impact Zaitsev's absence probably shouldn't be a major concern to fantasy players unless he remains away from the team for Thursday's game-day skate. Even if healthy, the 32-year-old blueliner is far from a lock for the lineup, having only played in five of the club's 13 games this season. If Zaitsev is unavailable versus the Lightning on Thursday, Isaak Phillips figures to suit up on the third pairing.

NOVEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Elias Pettersson's 2 goals lifts Canucks over Blackhawks 4-2

Elias Pettersson scored twice, Phillip Di Giuseppe scored, Brock Boeser got an empty-netter, and the Vancouver Canucks beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-2 on Sunday night

MARCH 27, 2023 • Associated Press

John Carlson scores as Capitals beat Blackhawks 6-1

John Carlson had a goal and an assist in his return from a fractured skull, and the Washington Capitals beat the Chicago Blackhawks 6-1

MARCH 24, 2023 • Associated Press

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Elias Pettersson's 2 goals lifts Canucks over Blackhawks 4-2

John Carlson scores as Capitals beat Blackhawks 6-1