Little Sutter dig on Zadorov - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Steve Macfarlane · 01-29-2022, 06:30 PM

Don't normally post my own threads - try to add to discussion already ongoing.

But maybe this got lost from today's Sutter chat. He was asked about Zadorov and said he has his moments.

As I say in the link - not sure if he meant good or bad ones. But is he the guy who gets bumped down if the Flames add depth?

https://calgaryhockeynow.com/calgary...darryl-sutter/

Enoch Root · 01-29-2022, 06:35 PM

I think his game has improved as the season has gone on.

And I really hope Treliving focused on adding some offensive punch, not more defensive depth

Steve Macfarlane · 01-29-2022, 06:37 PM

Agree the main add should be secondary scoring. If they overspend on defence and nothing else ... yikes.

Goriders · 01-30-2022, 12:48 AM

We need some wingers that can put the puck in the net. Not the goalie’s sternum.

Monahammer · 01-31-2022, 09:01 AM

IMO if Sutter wanted to bump down Zadorov we would see Mackey or Valimaki getting a shot.

Erick Estrada · 01-31-2022, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I think his game has improved as the season has gone on.

And I really hope Treliving focused on adding some offensive punch, not more defensive depth

As a fan that wants the team to stand pat and go with the roster the GM built for better or worse if they have to blow assets on a rental I would hope at the very least it addresses the teams biggest issue. Defensive depth additions over the years have never paid dividends for this organization nor is it a roster weakness as the 3rd pairing isn't bad at all. The last time this organization did anything in the playoffs it was when they added Nieminen, Nilson, and Simon late in the season which addressed the same issue this version of the Flames has.

CSharp · 01-31-2022, 10:55 AM

Not sure why some has the hate for him but he's not as bad as people make him out to be. Frickin big d-man, can score on a rush, and is not a soft Russian/European player. Definitely a Sutter-type guy. Him and Grubranson on a D-line are aw'ight.

BigRed · 01-31-2022, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSharp

Not sure why some has the hate for him but he's not as bad as people make him out to be. Frickin big d-man, can score on a rush, and is not a soft Russian/European player. Definitely a Sutter-type guy. Him and Grubranson on a D-line are aw'ight.

I think "can score on the rush" is pretty generous, despite the recent handful of opportunistic jumps. His size is good and he'll hit, but he's often a fire drill with the puck.

If he keeps his game simple, picks his spots and focuses on strong D, he's a fine 3rd pair guy. But $4 mln is way too much for what he brings, and at 27, he is what he is -- he's not going to suddenly emerge. He's a replacment level player earning 3D cash -- that's my problem with him.

TheGrimm · 01-31-2022, 11:54 AM

Zadorov is a bit of an enigma to me. Two games into the season I never wanted to see him play again.. But I've found myself drawn in of late, he has all the tools a GM could want but I am not sure he will ever put it all together.

gvitaly · 01-31-2022, 12:20 PM

I'm a little torn about Zadorov. On the one side he has a very good stick. He disrupts zone entries, and separate players from pucks quite well. He has a bomb of a shot, and his mid-range shot is quite accurate. I have been liking his instincts in the offensive zone. He creates more chances offensively than any D not named Kylington. His passing has improved, but he still often passes to a spot the receiving player has trouble.

On the other side Zadorov gets lost defensively when a team starts cycling the puck in his own zone. He also is prone to bad passes/losing the puck when he is under pressure in the defensive zone. He is fast but not agile, as a result he gets turned inside out every once in a while by forwards changing direction on him. He also doesn't often move his feet, which makes it seem like there's no urgency in his game, and I think that's what bugs me the most. If Zadorov looked like he is skating his butt off, then I would have a lot less problems with him not getting in position as quickly.

Bonded · 01-31-2022, 12:37 PM

You can definitely see why Zadarov was drafted high but was shuffled out through a few teams. Every now and then makes a great rush and looks all-star and then next shift it will look like his controller disconnected in his own end.

rohara66 · 01-31-2022, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGrimm

Zadorov is a bit of an enigma to me. Two games into the season I never wanted to see him play again.. But I've found myself drawn in of late, he has all the tools a GM could want but I am not sure he will ever put it all together.

My god he was a total pylon to start the year. I also wanted him in the press box for life during the first month of the season. But since then he continued to improve and has looked half decent at most time. I find he struggles to breakout of his own end still but have liked this neutral zone play and his offensive rushes and random pinching.

dino7c · 01-31-2022, 12:54 PM

people act like the guy is 38, he is 2 years older than Kylington

if he was a Flames draft pick fans would be going crazy about his potential

Barnet Flame · 01-31-2022, 01:05 PM

I think he is effective in preventing goals and I’m fine with that.

We need goals. Tinkering around with the defence will likely produce little if any marginal gains where we need them.

blankall · 01-31-2022, 03:43 PM

I like Zadarov as a #4/5 guy. He hits like a truck. Don't want him in the top 4 regularly though. Also, I would really hope that Valimaki would get a shot over just signing another Zadarov type. The Flames need to get more offence going from the defence. Valimaki brings that.

btimbit · 01-31-2022, 06:02 PM

Hope we see Zadorov stick around on a multi year deal. Perfect bottom pair guy

gvitaly · 01-31-2022, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by btimbit

Hope we see Zadorov stick around on a multi year deal. Perfect bottom pair guy

I think that the price has to be right on any depth players. I'm not a huge fan of paying ~$3M for 3rd pairing D or a 4th line center.

I also hope that a couple of our prospects get more playing time in the bigs. Mackey, Valimaki, Kinnvall all look to be close to NHL ready. Then in a couple of years some of Kuznetsov, Poirier, Boltmann, Whynot might develop.

My point is that the top 4 are set for a couple of years(barring any trades), and I'd rather have the 3rd pairing as a development pairing with a cheaper vet.

Mindtravellee · 01-31-2022, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gvitaly

I think that the price has to be right on any depth players. I'm not a huge fan of paying ~$3M for 3rd pairing D or a 4th line center.

I also hope that a couple of our prospects get more playing time in the bigs. Mackey, Valimaki, Kinnvall all look to be close to NHL ready. Then in a couple of years some of Kuznetsov, Poirier, Boltmann, Whynot might develop.

My point is that the top 4 are set for a couple of years(barring any trades), and I'd rather have the 3rd pairing as a development pairing with a cheaper vet.

This could be where Gudbranson might fit longer term. Help the kids