How ex-Vancouver Canucks defenceman Zadorov is doing in Boston this season
The Vancouver Canucks have felt Nikita Zadorov’s absence this season.
Everyone knew the Canucks were taking a risk icing an inexperienced and slow defence corps this season after letting Zadorov and Ian Cole walk in free agency. The results have been worse than many expected. Quinn Hughes is the only regular defenceman driving offence, especially since Filip Hronek missed significant time due to injury.
Zadorov was acquired by the Canucks through trade in November of last season and helped solidify the defence throughout the year. He eventually signed with the Boston Bruins for six years with an AAV of $5 million in free agency. The Canucks reportedly made a similar offer but only after some intense negotiations, which left a bad taste in the player’s mouth.
With the Canucks defence struggling this season, many have been lamenting the decision to let Zadorov walk. So far, the left-handed defenceman’s time in Boston thus far has been filled with ups and downs. He had a slow start, as did much of the team, but Zadorov’s game has picked up recently. He started turning things around when new head coach Joe Sacco took over, and the 6-foot-6 blueliner now has two goals and 11 points in 51 games. He’s also +12.
“He was engaged in the game tonight,” Sacco told reporters after a great Zadorov performance earlier this year. “He was physical, and he was just defending hard tonight. When he was on the ice, the opposition knew that he was playing and the goal was good.”
The advanced stats don’t paint quite as nice a picture for Zadorov. He ranks seventh among eight regular Bruins defencemen in expected goals share and sixth in Corsi. The Bruins are generally being outshot and outchanced when he’s on the ice, although not overwhelmingly so.
Despite not having the best analytics, Zadorov is still heavily leaned upon. He’s getting the third-most minutes per night among Bruins defencemen, only behind Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy. His ice-time has increased each month throughout this season, and he’s playing a career-high 20:05 per game.
The Russian is delivering many of his signature massive bodychecks and leads the NHL in penalty minutes. He’s also still one of the best interviews in the league.
“I think it definitely rattles opposite players, I’m just doing my job,” he said about his physical play in a recent interview.
Nikita Zadorov with a heavy hit on Clayton Keller pic.twitter.com/vETtJA8iSm
— Bear With Me (@BearWithMe_Pod) November 22, 2024
That confidence and swagger is something the Canucks are desperately missing this season. Zadorov’s contributions in the dressing room are missed just as much as his play on the ice, especially as the Canucks dressing room has devolved into a mess.
At 29 years old, Zadorov still has good years ahead, although there is some concern about how his contract will age in those last seasons. For now, he’s a quality bottom-four defenceman and exactly what the Canucks are missing, especially his attitude and puck-moving.
Last year, Zadorov took his game to another level in the postseason, resulting in many fans for life in Vancouver. If the Bruins make the playoffs — they’re currently in a Wild Card spot — the big blueliner could prove his worth once again. The rough atmosphere of the postseason is suited perfectly to his game.
“I’m not planning to miss the playoffs,” Zadorov told Boston reporters. “I’m here to play playoff hockey… I want to see Boston Garden buzzing in the playoffs. That’s definitely extra motivation for us. You guys are doing a good job writing us off. That’s extra motivation.”