Senators place Zaitsev on waivers

The Ottawa Senators placed defenseman Nikita Zaitsev on waivers Wednesday, according to CapFriendly.

Zaitsev has two years remaining on his contract with a $4.5-million cap hit. If he clears and is assigned to the AHL, he'll count for $3.375 million against Ottawa's cap.

The 31-year-old has tallied one assist in seven games this season while averaging a career-low 15:14 per contest. His 50.7% expected goals percentage is the third-worst among Senators defensemen, per Natural Stat Trick.

Zaitsev signed a seven-year, $31.5-million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs in May 2017. The Sens acquired him from their provincial rivals in July 2019.

The Senators also placed goaltender Magnus Hellberg on waivers Wednesday.