Nikita Zadorov reveals the Boston Bruins weren't his first choice
Boston Bruins defenceman Nikita Zadorov finished the 2023-2024 season with the Vancouver Canucks after being acquired in a trade from the Calgary Flames towards last season's trade deadline. However, as July 1st rolled around it has been revealed that the 6'6 248lb left shot defenceman preference was to stay on the Canadian west coast donning a Canucks jersey.
While Zadorov ultimately settled on a 6-year, $30 million contract with the Bruins, it appears that the Canucks offered him something similar, but likely not for as many years. It is conceivable to believe that the Canucks could have kept the defenceman it is likely that the Canucks were not willing to match the term that the Bruins laid out and that was likely the sticking point for the 29-year-old from Moscow, Russia's decision.
In the prime of his career, Zadorov was likely faced with a decision that would affect him for the remainder of his professional hockey career in North America. Committing such as he did was likely daunting.
Whether he enjoyed his time in Vancouver seems slightly irrelevant to this point seeing as he's committed to Boston however lots of reasons come into play when a player decides his fate and where he chooses to play. Zadorov finished the 2023-2024 season with a stat line that included 6 goals, 14 assists & 125 penalty minutes in 75 games split between Calgary & Vancouver. In 13 games played during the Canucks playoff run he contributed 4 goals & 4 assists with 26 penalty minutes.
| POLL | ||
Where do you think Nikita Zadorov was going to end up after July 1st? | ||
| Vancouver Canucks | 24 | 44.4 % |
| Boston Bruins | 19 | 35.2 % |
| Calgary Flames | 1 | 1.9 % |
| Other(share in comments) | 10 | 18.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
