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

[Enoch Root]

I agree it's expensive, my point was it's better (better service). The details of your plan matter, of course.

Anyway, enough derailing from me

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by dino7c

He made the comment when asked about Zadorov and Gudbranson before todays game, funny how some fans mocked Tre for these signings

Lol looks like Johnny Makarov had the same idea and predicted the Gudbranson signing too. Shout outs.

Are you guys insane? Of course we need him on our pillowy soft team.

In fact we probably need another Zadorov.

[gvitaly]

Z 2nd Interview Part 5
This one seems a little bit of a thick read in my opinion, thought the Olympics conversation had more insights, but I already started this one.

Dealership deals
@ 1:03:45 - 1:12:00
Interviewer: Nikita we're standing next to your garage. Tell us kind of cars do you have and what do you drive?
Zadorov: I have a GMC, since about 80% of our players get offered deals by various dealerships. I think the deals with the dealerships are mostly standard. You bring the dealership game tickets a couple of time, which they then give out to their employees. You sign some memorabilia, and then you post about the vehicle on your social networks. The player, on his part, gets a vehicle to drive for the whole season for free.
I: So for tickets and publicity?
Z: Yes, but from my understanding they are going to resell it after this year. When they resell the car they tell the buyers who was driving it. With the crazy Canadian fans they might even sell it for more than the original price.
I: That's pretty smart on their end.
Z: Also, with the situation in the world right now, there's a shortage of car chips. That results in a lower inventory of vehicles being available, so they don't lose as much of their value after the first year.

Sports cars and luxury vehicles in Calgary and the league
I: From what I saw almost all the players on the Flames drive a GMC. If you visit Ak Bars Kazan in comparison you'll see the Mercedes G63, Mercedes S series, BMW M5, Bentley and so on. When we visit your parking lot we only saw Gaudreau's Gelik(Mercedes G-class), and one Mercedes S63.
Z: Yes, it's Backlund's.
I: Right, but everyone else drives Rams, GMCs, and other trucks.
Z: Well, the boys have some good(luxury) cars, but they mostly keep them at home, where they spend their summers. It's just that the weather here is such that even a Gelandewagen(Mercedes G-Class) might get stuck on Canadian roads, because it's constantly snowing and cold. In addition you essentially get a free car, so you don't have to spend your money on either a lease or a purchase. Then at home(during the summer) you buy a car to make your own. I still think it largely depends on the country and city you're playing in. For examples some of the cities we visit, like if you're going to visit Tampa you'll see the sort of cars they drive. They'll have Ak Bars beat, they have Lamborghini Uruses there, Ferraris and more. The boys in Anaheim have some awesome cars too. In all those southern cities where you could drive a sports car. Here you can't because if the temperature falls to 40 below and it snows you simply won't be able to drive(get through) anywhere. You'll get stuck and won't even get to the arena. When you have such a large vehicle it's convenient, especially when you have a family.

People's attitude towards cars N. America vs. Russia
I: When I look at cities like Toronto, and Calgary that are pretty advanced cities. In comparison to our Russian cities, Calgary is probably like Novgorod in terms of population.
Z: Yes, a bit more than a million, less than one and a half.
I: Despite all that people here don't flaunt their cars. There's only a small amount of really high end cars. Almost everyone gets just a standard vehicle. Even when we visited Toronto a megapolis like Moscow, but there weren't amazing cars.
Z: Well you came here in the winter. When I got here in the summer, well in September. I saw quite a few Ferraris and Lamborghinis driving around downtown. You don't see them out right now because it's cold, there's snow everywhere, so no one is going to drive on summer tires. Calgary even surprised me that way. I thought we had a simpler selection of cars when I was driving in Denver. Also, Canadians and Americans have a bit of a different thought process. If we compare people in Moscow, for them it's a status symbol, they will spend their last money on a car just so they can look good. Here people think and prioritize things a bit differently so they prefer to invest in something else.
I: They prefer to be more efficient?
Z: Well a car for them is a tool for getting from point A to point B.

Z's cars
I: And it has to be more (cost) efficient, like GMC doesn't seem like a car that's too expansive.
Z: No, it's still expansive. This one I believe costs around $80,000. That's quite a bit of dough for a car in America.
I: Canadian?
Z: Yes, 80 grand Canadian. It's like 65-68 thousand US. It's not like a Kia you can buy for like 30 grand. Kia Sorento will probably set you back around $30,000.
I: Okay we covered the GMC, what do we have next to it.
Z: That's my wife's car.
I: Yeah we don't care about the GMC, we care about what's next to it. So Nikita Zadorov gets to drive a GMC, and his wife gets a Porsche Panamera.
Z: Yes, of course the best stuff goes to my wife. I had other cars before though, I just got the GMC this year. We kept the Panamera all the way from our time in Colorado. We ordered it then, it was one of the first shipments (to the US) when they just came out. We're really enjoying her while she runs.
I: You sold your Range Rover after driving it for 3 years, so what will you get next after this?
Z: I didn't give it much thought.
I: Lets just do a dream car off the top of your head.
Z: I'm kind of waiting for the Porsche GT3 RS. It's not out yet, the GT3 is out but the RS version should come out this summer. That would be my dream car right now.
I: Do you count yourself as a car enthusiast?
Z: Yes. I love cars. I love looking at cars, driving them. I was fortunate to drive a verity of makes and models. However, I get cars within my means.
I: In a hypothetical scenario lets say you sign a $100M deal, so that you have more than enough money, don't have to worry about investments and all your future generations are taken care of. Can you list 3 cars you would go out and buy.
Z: Well $100M are not as much as you make them out to be. At least so that they last for 3 generations. Maybe a billion.
I: Alright lets do a billion.
Z: It's just that if you have $100M you have to invest them, not spend them on cars. As for your question, I probably won't be able to name 3. One car I find really cool, and I guess could even be a decent investment if you could get it... it would be really difficult, because you can resell it for $2-3M more. That car is LaFerrari. At least from everything I read it is impossible to get, at least from a dealership. You can get it in the 2nd hand market for a significant overpay. I find the car market in general to be rather crazy right now, because of COVID and the chip shortage. That's why the 2nd hand cars don't drop in price as much. The way it used to be was that as soon as you drove a BMW or a Mercedes of the lot it would automatically lose 30-40% of it's value. Now it's not as steep.
I: In the BMW vs. Mercedes discussion which side do you pick?
Z: BMW. It was my first car, also my second car. Mercedes is a good car, but I personally don't like it as much. If we're being honest right now I'm not a BMW fan boy either. I think that if you drive a Porsche you'd understand.
I: So Porsche is better?
Z: Yes I think that Porsche is a league higher than those two.

Other players and Cars
I: In Calgary who drives the best car?
Z: Well like you listed before, Gaudreau with his Gelandewagen and Backlund with a new GT.
I: Judging from the teams you've been to which team has the most interesting cars? Chicago?
Z: No, definitely not Chicago. Kane is driving the same Hummer for 11 years now. I think he has the 2nd or 3rd version of it.
I: I'm not too familiar with Hummers
Z: Neither am I. He had the same Hummer his entire career. That said he's actually waiting for the new one to come out. So here's an example of guy that drives one car and simply doesn't care(As in doesn't care what he drives for appearances sake), despite making $10.5M a year. I didn't see Towes' car, as he wasn't there last year. Everyone else, well I think most of the guys I played with don't give it much thought. Some guys in Colorado had a couple of Porsches, Audi, Mercedes were probably the best cars. No one was driving Ferraris, but I've seen several on our away games.

@1:23:53 - 1:31:15
Traffic and Speeding Tickets
I: How's the traffic in Calgary?
Z: It's alright. I only have to drive 5 mins to the Dome. The grocery store is also nearby. I think my longest drive is driving my kid to school. It takes me about 15mins, so I don't get in too many traffic jams. I know there are a couple of pretty large highways here. With a population of $1.5M you're going to have some traffic jams, but it's not like in Moscow. You don't get stuck in a jam for 2-3 hours, the most you'll get stuck for is 20-30mins.
I: What about Cameras, tickets?
Z: Yeah they actually have cameras. We didn't have any in the US, so I already ended up getting a couple of tickets over here. The take a picture of you the same way they do in Moscow.
I: How much is a ticket for speeding?
Z: One ticket I got was for $350.
I: $350? how much were you speeding?
Z: Not sure, I think I was 15km/h over.
I: Do you have that rule of +20 over the speed limit here? Like in Russia you don't get a ticket if you're within 20 of the speed limit.
Z: We have something similar but it only applies when a cop stops you. A cop might not stop you if you're a little over, but you would still be caught on camera if you're speeding.
I: So $350 is around?
Z: It's around 20,000 RUB. probably even more since we have a 70 exchange rate.
I: You're converting American dollars.
Z: You're right so around 58.
I: Yeah it ends up somewhere around 20,000RUB, but that's quite a bit.
Z: Yes, it's a lot. It's the same in the states though. I haven't had many tickets in the US, but right after buying my BMW, I had a $1,000 ticket. They also have a points system. You get 12 points and if you lose more than that in a year they take away your license. I lost 6 points on that one infraction.
I: What did you do? were you speeding?
Z: Yes, I was speeding, quite a bit. I was young. After that I haven't really had any incidents.
I: How are the gasoline prices?
Z: The gas prices here are higher than in the US, but they are rather similar to the Russian prices. When the exchange rate was 30(CAD to RUB I assume) the prices here were a lot lower, and now they're about the same. There's one but though. The Gasoline is actually good here, not the diluted stuff they sell in Russia. Even if you get a tank of 98(octane number), it's like 89 here. And here there are 93 and 95 fuels, which are like the 110 fuel being sold in Russia for racing cars. In Colorado there was even a stadium for drag races, and a fuel station next to it was selling 120 fuel, it's extremely flammable, and fast burning, so they had it especially for the drag races. It was crazy expansive though, a full tank was about $400.

Getting pulled over by the cops
I: Did you get stopped by the cops in Calgary?
Z: In Calgary, no.
I: And in the US?
Z: Yes.
I: When you tell the cops you're an NHL player does it make things easier?
Z: Yes, it always helps. Did I tell you the story when I drove to Florida and got pulled over?
I: No.
Z: When we were driving from Colorado to Florida, it's a 30 hour drive. Half of the way goes through Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri. The road there is completely straight, you can even let go of the wheel and simply continue straight. And then there are plains with no soul in sight, you drive like that for about 16 hours. When the pandemic started I was driving in the left lane, 19km/h over like we were discussing. However there's a law that you can't drive in the left lane in Kansas. Even when there are two lanes and there's no one around you.
I: Yeah, I heard about that!
Z: Yes, so you have to switch to the right lane. I was driving in the left, and was stopped by a cop. I asked him if I was speeding? He said I wasn't but that the left lane is only for passing not for driving. I told him I was sorry, that I didn't know, and that ... Well they have a set of questions "where are you driving to?", "where are you driving from?", just to get a conversation started, and get yourself in the head of the 'criminal'. So I told him that my family and I were driving from Colorado to Florida, because I'm a hockey player and our season got postponed/canceled. He asked me when will the season resume, so I told him I hope that soon. We really had no idea when the league would resume at that point. He ended up letting me go with a warning to drive in the right lane. 3 months later we're driving back, on that same road, on that same spot, and that same cop stops me for the same thing. When he was walking towards my car, I looked in the mirror and asked Sasha(wife) that's him isn't it? She turns around and says yep that's him. The cop sees us and starts laughing, saying "You again?". So I told him yeah we're just heading back to resume the season, and that the bubble is about to start in 2 weeks. Eventually, he let me go again. All in all I think I was pulled over in North America about 3-4 times over an 8-9 year period. Two of them by that same cop.
I: It seems that the cops in North America are more polite than ours. As you said they start by making conversation. In Russia it's essentially "give me your license and registrations".
Z: I think it depends on the cop. At one time I was stopped in Florida for driving on a yellow light. He started speaking to me quite aggressively- "Who's car is this?", "What is this?", "Why is your license-plate from Florida, and your driver's license from Colorado?", "You can't do that". I told him that I have a house in both, and I have a dual residence. That said, usually if you have a good story you can wiggle your way out of just about anything over here. It's because people try to be more understanding towards you.
I: I was asking because we were at the game yesterday. Your game has a large amount of cops maintaining the peace. People just come to them, take pictures with them. They seemed like local heroes from our perspective.
Z: You were probably one of those people that came by to take a picture, weren't you?
I: Yep, I came to them, because I also wanted the picture. Well it's awesome that they are so approachable. In Russia, you just try to mind your own business, and make sure you didn't break any laws.
Z: I think that tourists that come to Russia also take pictures with the cops. On the red square for example.
I: They definitely don't. As soon as you're near a cop you just don't want to draw attention to yourself.
Z: I think it's somewhat similar, and people treat law enforcement with a great deal of respect. I saw people in Russia get away with a lot more rudeness and aggression towards cops. Here that won't fly they will bring you in for it and shock you for a good measure.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

The US healthcare system is miles better than Canada's if you have high-end insurance, which NHLers evidently do.

If you are middle class, Canada's is miles better. ...

The latter part is inaccurate. I don't know any rich people in US personally, but I have lots of friends and relatives in US, who are engineers, programmers, accountants and small business operators - all working middle class families. They all have medical insurance policies paid for by their employers which, upon discussion and comparison of details are miles better than Canadian. Never have to wait for specialists' appointments, personal choice of doctors to see, choice of hospitals and clinics to go to, access to testing etc - all better than what we have here. From personal experience, I've been waiting for shoulder MRI since October 2021 (scheduled for June 2023). Even Obamacare has three levels of medical coverage (bronze, silver and gold) with the lowest level (bronze) being somewhat equivalent to Alberta Health Care coverage we receive.

However; for people earning low-income or people on social assistance, US medical coverage is much much worse than for low-income earners in Canada, that's a well-known fact. People can easily go broke in US after any serious hospital encounter.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

That just isn't true. As long as you have a good health insurance plan (and most middle class people do), the US system is much better. Waiting times are shorter, and you are treated like a customer instead of an inconvenience.

I don't want to turn this into a big political debate - in Canada, we choose a system that protects everyone. Awesome. In the US, they have a pay-to-play system, and they pay A LOT, but they get good service for that money (assuming they can play).

Is what it is, but let's not pretend it's something else.

Meh, I've lived in both systems. Most middle class people have insurance, but it's not "good" insurance.

I knew people who ended up in lifelong debt because of an unfortunate accident.

[GioforPM]

“The best stuff goes to my wife”.

I’ve seen pics of his wife and I would have the same approach.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Markstrom rarely get run this season and when he does the opponent gets pounded. I'm going to go with Darryl's assessment that it was a big issue that has been corrected. The 3rd pair is a big part of it.

Also remember Ras straight up punching a Oiler in the face game one for hacking the goalie, it was obviously addressed.

This might be also helping Tanev stay healthy. For years we heard that he was declining and injury prone etc. and I think it's because Vancouver forced him into those dirty defensive spots where you can get hurt.

This year we have Z and G doing that like tree trunks to the opposition.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Gudbransen was a guy who was barely holding onto his NHL career. Personally I think there is a good chance he stays with the Flames for a very team friendly deal to prolong his career. Sutter is the coach that believes in him and he was absolutely signed at the request of Darryl.

Zadorov is 3 years younger and is likely looking for the term and money that make the most sense to him. I do not see him staying with the flames next year to have a $3-4M Dman on the third pair. If he gets the chance to make a difference in the playoffs I can see him getting paid in the summer but it won’t be from Calgary

Z said in other interviews that he was a top pairing defenseman in Chicago and he's likely looking for that role and the $$$ that go with it.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

The latter part is inaccurate. I don't know any rich people in US personally, but I have lots of friends and relatives in US, who are engineers, programmers, accountants and small business operators - all working middle class families. They all have medical insurance policies paid for by their employers which, upon discussion and comparison of details are miles better than Canadian. Never have to wait for specialists' appointments, personal choice of doctors to see, choice of hospitals and clinics to go to, access to testing etc - all better than what we have here. From personal experience, I've been waiting for shoulder MRI since October 2021 (scheduled for June 2023). Even Obamacare has three levels of medical coverage (bronze, silver and gold) with the lowest level (bronze) being somewhat equivalent to Alberta Health Care coverage we receive.

However; for people earning low-income or people on social assistance, US medical coverage is much much worse than for low-income earners in Canada, that's a well-known fact. People can easily go broke in US after any serious hospital encounter.

That job titles don't scream middle class. Maybe not rich, but well over median income.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

That job titles don't scream middle class. Maybe not rich, but well over median income.

you don't have to be under the median income to be middle class

[CSharp]

LOL, Zadorov is funny. He drives the expensive GMC truck and his wife drives the Porsche Panamera. It'd be the other way around for me.

[Locke]

Zad seems like someone that would be a blast to have a few beers with.

Although he does look eerily similar to Ivan Drago...

"I must break you! But first...we throw our heads back and laugh!"

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Z said in other interviews that he was a top pairing defenseman in Chicago and he's likely looking for that role and the $$$ that go with it.

Yup which is why he only signed a 1 year deal here they couldn’t agree on value and I am personally happy he didn’t sign for much more. I like him just fine but to me he is still a bottom pairing guy but a very good one who is perfect for the Sutter style of game.

I can’t wait to see him in these playoffs

[GioforPM]

I like him but no way is Z a top pairing guy on any decent team.

[midniteowl]

Zadorov is a very good person, I remember in earlier interview, he mentioned something like he has his own kids and still he wants to adopt kids because all kids deserve a good life. That touch my heart a great deal.

[GioforPM]

Z seems like a good guy. The interview seemed to highlight a lot of material stuff - money, cars, cost of speeding etc. So unfortunately I’m betting Calgary won’t pay him what he wants going forward.

[AC]

Zadorov is 26, and has had 3 consecutive 1 year deals and is now on his 4th team. I would guess a longer deal is a priority. If we have some playoff success and he's happy with his role I wouldn't rule out re-signing here.

That being said, if we're trying to make room for Gaudreau/Tkachuk/Mangi/Kylington then the 3rd D pairing is definitely the area to find budget players.

[Roof-Daddy]

I don't know whether or not Zadorov would consider staying in CGY long term, but I don't think it matters because cap space will be at a premium for the Flames this off season, and guys like him and Gudbranson will likely be way down the list of priorities.

Actually, check that....three of the top four "priority" re-signings are RFA's and we all know Treliving takes his sweet time getting RFA's re-signed.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I don't know whether or not Zadorov would consider staying in CGY long term, but I don't think it matters because cap space will be at a premium for the Flames this off season, and guys like him and Gudbranson will likely be way down the list of priorities.

Actually, check that....three of the top four "priority" re-signings are RFA's and we all know Treliving takes his sweet time getting RFA's re-signed.

Yeah, I don't really expect him back either. It just doesn't make sense, unless they are going to lose a big salary like Monahan/Lucic in the off-season, or lose someone like Kylington/Mangiapane to an offer sheet.

He seems like a pretty good guy, and a decent defenseman, but it seems that his teammates have to cover for him quite a bit, especially during the cycle. That's why I think that $3.5M+ for Z would be too much for what he brought this season.

Right now out of Gudbranson and Zadorov, Gudbranson seems like the more valuable player to keep. I think he might come in cheaper, he plays on the top PK unit, he is better at disrupting the cycle, and better at moving the puck. Z brings some heavy hits, and very good stick work, he is also pretty good at muscling players off of the puck.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

How much would you pay for a guy to come in and deliver a series-changing hit in the second round?

Because that’s what you’re paying for with a guy like Zadorov.