Major update after Nikita Zadorov makes trade request, insider reveals where he wants to play

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TJ Tucker
November 11, 2023 (8:04)

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As if things in Calgary weren't going badly enough, one of the team's blueliners has officially requested a trade through his agent.

Following a 5-4 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs last night, in which he scored a goal, Nikita Zadorov had his agent tell the Flames he wants out.

"Fresh off a goal and big hit tonight against the @MapleLeafs, I'm told that D Zadorov through his agent @GoldStarHockey Dan Milstein has requested a trade from the @NHLFlames #HockeyTwitter"

The issue for Zadorov appears to be ice time. Earlier in the night, Milstein had posted a video of Zadorov's goal with the statement "Here comes Zadorov train get your #LeafsForever tickets today #WeAreGoldStar!".

Someone replied with the question "Dan, can we keep him?" Milstein's response was blunt.

"I don't think so. Not when the best D barely gets the ice time"

Zadorov, 28 years old, becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. He's currently making $3.75 million. Sportsnet says both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks are interested in acquiring Zadorov, but it seems like Toronto may be his preferred destination.

With Nikita Zadorov looking to be traded out of Calgary, word is the pending UFA defenceman would welcome a move to Toronto.