[Signing] Flames sign Zadorov to 1 year deal worth $3.75 mil

[Mindtravellee]

I see Kylinton more important for transition, and potentially taking over the top PP. Only way to sign Zadorov, is if you can get a PP specialist cheap on the 3rd line

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by CSharp

P

So Z moves to either first or second line pairing. Mackey goes to 3rd pairing with Gudbransson (if signed).

I don't like even thinking of Z playing top 4 dmen minutes.

[Hack&Lube]

I think I saw Z in East Village today so he's still in town.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

I think I saw Z in East Village today so he's still in town.

His kids are likely still in school.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

I think I saw Z in East Village today so he's still in town.

Would he even want to go back to Russia?

[Flames1217]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

Would he even want to go back to Russia?

Pretty sure that he stays in NA full time now and has done so since he was in Colorado.

[Sandman]

Didn't he marry a Canadian girl?

[mile]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Didn't he marry a Canadian girl?

No. She’s Russian

IIRC he has a place in Florida

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Flames1217

Pretty sure that he stays in NA full time now and has done so since he was in Colorado.

He seems like one of the smart ones. I get the family angle but it always surprises me how many Russians choose to go back there to live.

[Royle9]

Saw some documentary on big Z.
He's actually quite a well spoken man, very family orientated.

What struck me most was his desire to adopt kids rather than have a bunch themselves. I think he has a few kids and only 1 is his own, he said he would rather give a good life to kids who weren't able to or something along those lines.

Only here for 1 year but seemed like a quality guy.

[TheScorpion]

Zadorov is going to get way more in free agency than the Flames can afford, and that's likely for the best. I think what we saw from him this year was the best he can offer, and frankly I don't think it was worth $2.5 million. I suspect he gets well north of $4m.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Zadorov is going to get way more in free agency than the Flames can afford, and that's likely for the best. I think what we saw from him this year was the best he can offer, and frankly I don't think it was worth $2.5 million. I suspect he gets well north of $4m.

what on earth were you watching

[Scroopy Noopers]

I don’t see how Zadorov gets term at $4+. I’d really like for the Flames to find a way to bring him back, but that’s assuming it’s reasonable.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by dino7c

what on earth were you watching

He was a bottom pairing defenceman.

I quite like Z, but you can’t sink money into your 3rd pairing and also afford the talent up front.

Gaudreau and Tkachuk’s contracts mean we will absolutely not be spending the ~$5.5M on our 3rd pairing we did this past season.

Even if we did have the cap space, our defensive depth was also exposed as being lacking because the moment we lost a 2nd pairing guy, neither Z nor Gudbranson could come close to filling the hole left. We had the luxury of overpaying a 3rd pairing this year - but that luxury is gone.

[mdubz]

I'll miss his end to end rushes where he circles around the opponent's net and then blindly throws the puck into the slot.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

He was a bottom pairing defenceman.

I quite like Z, but you can’t sink money into your 3rd pairing and also afford the talent up front.

Gaudreau and Tkachuk’s contracts mean we will absolutely not be spending the ~$5.5M on our 3rd pairing we did this past season.

Even if we did have the cap space, our defensive depth was also exposed as being lacking because the moment we lost a 2nd pairing guy, neither Z nor Gudbranson could come close to filling the hole left. We had the luxury of overpaying a 3rd pairing this year - but that luxury is gone.

Doesn't change the fact his is worth way more than 2.5M

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Doesn't change the fact his is worth way more than 2.5M

Agreed.

If you're shopping for a top four defenseman out of the 3rd pairing group because you don't want to pay say $5.5M or more Zadorov would jump off the page.

Huge.
Physical.
Young

1st in dmen in the whole league at CF%, and 20th in xGA60.

Sure he's sheltered, but when you're looking to take that "he's ready for more" flyer, he's near the top of the list.

[TheScorpion]

The reason the Flames were able to get Zadorov for a third to begin with was because teams had already taken the flyer on him as a "ready for more" guy and it did not go well.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

The reason the Flames were able to get Zadorov for a third to begin with was because teams had already taken the flyer on him as a "ready for more" guy and it did not go well.

And you don't think the most recent season will hold more weight? I do. Trajectories change all the time.

It's not like Zadorov has been out of work. Acquired by Chicago, acquired by Calgary. Career high in points, and while sheltered first in CF%, and 20th in xGA60.

I'm not even saying he's ready for more, just expecting someone is/will.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

The reason the Flames were able to get Zadorov for a third to begin with was because teams had already taken the flyer on him as a "ready for more" guy and it did not go well.

But it did...see the stats above