from Adam Kimelman of NHL.com,

Nikita Zaitsev is looking to leave the Toronto Maple Leafs and they will try to accommodate the defenseman, general manager Kyle Dubas said Thursday.

"That will be our goal, to try to find a fresh start for him, for his own personal and private reasons," Dubas said at the 2019 NHL Scouting Combine.

Zaitsev, 27, has five seasons remaining on a seven-year, $31.5 million contract ($4.5 million average annual value) he signed May 2, 2017. He reportedly has requested a trade.

Dubas said he has met with Dan Milstein, Zaitsev's agent, but would not divulge the reason Zaitsev has for wanting to leave.

"I don't want to speculate on their behalf," Dubas said. "I think that's for Dan and Nikita to address if they want to."

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