[Trade] Flames acquire rights to Nikita Zadorov for 3rd acquired in Rittich trade

[Ped]

Technically it's not fir his rights, since his contract is still valid for another 45 minutes.

[SuperMatt18]

My guess is he gets 3 years and $3.5M on an extension. Something like that.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Weitz

I don't think Zadorov is going to move the needle much. Does big with no offence do anything in the NHL anymore? Mixed opinions on twitter of if he is actually good or just average defensively.

Yes, it prevents the other team from scoring, creating scoring chances, and gaining momentum. It also stops other teams from setting shop in front of your goalie. I actually think he would do better with Valimaki(on his off side) as a partner than Andersson.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Weitz

I don't think Zadorov is going to move the needle much. Does big with no offence do anything in the NHL anymore? Mixed opinions on twitter of if he is actually good or just average defensively.

You always need big guys that can pound the opposition. I like the move.

[Burning Beard]

Originally Posted by RedHot25

after not having much of a clue as to what this team really is, it gives them an identity to come together around.

Yep. This team needs an identity. Might as well be mean.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

I hope we don't sign him long term. 1 year deal and trade him at the deadline for a 2nd would be ideal. Of course, if we are in the playoffs, he will be handy because big = good then, and we can lose him after that. All good with that.

This is the only way I can see the Flames extracting value on this deal.

If they sign him long term, he's going to be worthless.

1 or 2 year deal and traded at the deadline? GMs are idiots when it comes to playoffs and size. That's the move.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

The Tanev signing was a bad bet from day one and there's still a chance it becomes a disaster. As of now, his CGY season looks like a big outlier on his career trajectory. I'll be sold when he replicates it.

And it really doesn't matter if you are good at preventing goals if you get hammered in the offensive zone to a greater degree.

You really want to double down on that view? Bold.

[dammage79]

I suspect Zadorov pairs with Tanev. Hanifin and Andersson as another pair.

[cannon7]

Zadorov was averaging 15 minutes a game on a non-playoff team. Also the worst Corsi on his team and got minimal PK time. Pro scouts doing their magic once again?

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

My guess is he gets 3 years and $3.5M on an extension. Something like that.

I expect he'll go to arbitration, and bet on himself. He's then a UFA, and Calgary and see how he did. If he would have signed that contract, Chicago might not have moved him.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Carlo, oleksiak, Larsson probably comparable?

So 4-4.5?

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

You really want to double down on that view? Bold.

Yeah. Tanev had the best season of any defensive defenseman in the entire NHL last year and he's still an aging player with an extensive injury history who looked to be on a steep decline before signing in Calgary.

[Galakanokis]

Every team needs a big nasty D man back there and I like Zadorov for what he brings. Could be a really good fit here, I like it.

[DSIM420]

This makes the Lucic to Pittsburgh a possibility as we now have some more toughness in the line up.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Nelson

I think the playoffs this year showed that you need a big, mean blue line to succeed in the playoffs.

If you're talking about guys like Hedman, Savard, and McDonagh, then Zadorov isn't near those guys in effectiveness. He was a spare part on pretty much every team he's been on. Buffalo doesn't miss him. Colorado doesn't miss him. Chicago doesn't appear to miss him either. And a lot of what people remember from that 2019 Flames/Avs series gets misattributed to Zadorov when it was his partner Ian Cole doing an amazing job when the play was actually active. Zadorov's extracurriculars just took over the narrative.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Love this move. If you don't, maybe it is because you forgot who is coach.


Regehr was a great upcoming young D that only took off and became the Regehr we know under Sutter. Now, I doubt Zadorov is going to be the next Regehr, but I can definitely see him improving here. Consistency has been the issue with him, but I think Sutter will really help him with that.


As for his lack of offence - again, I think it is partly with consistency. He has a big shot like Regehr did, but Regehr was always gun-shy to use it in case it got blocked and resulted in an odd-man rush the other way. Maybe Zadorov will.


Lastly, I have always felt this way - if you are going to be a defensive defencemen in the NHL, then you better be good at two things - be great defensively, and be physical and hard to play against. It gives the team another strength. Now you can match Zadorov up against any power forward in the league, and have him contained (or better contained anyway) in front of the net. No more Draisaitl bumping everyone with his over-sized butt.



I won't be too happy if the contract is too long and rich, but I do think that Zadorov will become a better defencemen under Sutter. I think there is still some upside. I wouldn't be as excited if Ward was still the coach, as I don't see a solid track record when it comes to defencemen - at least not like Sutter. Sutter - to me - is part of the key here. He is going to make Zadorov a better player.


Also... this team seems to be becoming the toughest team in the NHL again. Not bad. Maybe some people feel it is going the opposite way that it should be, but the toughness is not bereft of skill, and that's the key. I love this transition.

[TheIronMaiden]

Ge Flames have a handful of russian prospects. I wonder if having an established russian to help them out was a consideration.

[handgroen]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

I expect he'll go to arbitration, and bet on himself. He's then a UFA, and Calgary and see how he did. If he would have signed that contract, Chicago might not have moved him.

No way it goes one year. Treliving like him or not, is king spit of acquiring RFAs only to grind out a team friendly deal.

[ComixZone]

This move feels like Treliving's 7 years have now come full circle back to Burke's train of thought.

Started by drafting Hunter and acquiring Bollig, and here we are today acquiring Zadarov.

Our defence is significantly worse than it was last season (when we weren't a playoff team).

[Skyceman]

Good pickup for that price. I’m sure Sutter told BT our defense was too soft. This makes the team better and gives McDavid something to fear. Can’t wait for the BOA.