TORONTO - The Toronto Maple Leafs signed KHL defenceman Nikita Zaitsev to a one-year entry-level contract on Monday.

The 24-year-old Moscow native had 26 points (eight goals, 18 assists) and 20 penalty minutes in 46 games with CSKA Moscow this past season.

Zaitsev also had 13 points (4-9) in 20 playoff games.

He will play for Russia at the upcoming IIHF world hockey championship.