If Nikita Zadorov truly does want to play in Toronto, it may be because of an ulterior motive

Zadorov is 6'6, 248 pounds, has a mean streak to him and would check a lot of boxes for the Leafs if such a deal were to materialize. However, if Zadorov is dealt to the Leafs in the coming days, it may not simply be a case of him checking boxes for the Leafs, but also a case of the Leafs checking some boxes for him as well.

In recent years, we saw pending UFA defensemen land in Toronto and turn their opportunities with the Leafs into lucrative contract offers elsewhere the following summer. The two in most recent memory are Ilya Lyubushkin and Luke Schenn, as The Athletic's Kevin Papetti points out below:

If Zadorov truly does want to be a Leaf, it may not just be about his desire to win, it could also be about playing under the bright lights of Toronto and gaining some additional exposure before testing free agency next summer and cashing in on his next deal.

Zadorov is currently locked in through 2023-24 at a $3.75M cap hit, higher than that of both Schenn and Lyubushkin, so what can the Leafs do for him in the UFA defense market next summer? Well, if he can come in and help stabilize the Leafs' D corps and go on a run with the Buds in the postseason, it isn't unrealistic to imagine that he'll fetch a $4.5M-$5M price tag next summer.

Zadorov and Leafs GM Brad Treliving have an obvious history, and the Leafs have reportedly been interested in the big Russian defenseman since before the season began, which bodes well for a potential deal to be struck. Treliving also has a great relationship with Flames GM Craig Conroy, which also doesn't hurt. Zadorov and the Leafs might be a match made in heaven with what they stand to be able to do for one another right now.

Big, nasty, physical defensemen seem to be a hot commodity. Zadorov is already an effective NHL defenseman in Calgary during the regular season, but his game is tailor made for the postseason. If he does happen to join the Leafs and can help them get to the Eastern Conference Finals or beyond in the spring, he could set himself up to get PAID on July 1st.