He's in that grey area where he's a 5th defenseman that wants to get paid 2nd pairing money. I don't think the Flames had an appetite to give him a raise on a long term deal and I can't blame them.
Exactly. You cannot blame either party see for what happened. All thing being equal, Zadorov is probably worth in-the-ballpark of $4.0 m a season, but any team that can afford that contract also probably needs him in the second pairing, where he is not ideally slotted.
It kind of sucks for him, but he absolutely should be out there getting the best deal he can. That was never going to be with the Flames; but it is also not going to be with a team that is in a position to win any time soon.
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Dealing with Everything from Dead Sea Scrolls to Red C Trolls
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Originally Posted by woob
"...harem warfare? like all your wives dressup and go paintballing?"
How exactly could you come to the conclusion it was Hanafin, Lindholm, or Tanev annoyed with the comments and trade request? Far more likely it was Backlund, Coleman, Andersson, Markstrom, etc that are Flames going forward, not the guys with one foot out the door. At the end of the day Zadorov is all about the money, no different than the other players.
It did strike me that in a lot of those long interviews we read he focused a lot about money/investments/cost/taxes. It was mixed in there with some good stuff but it was definitely there.
Good interview with Zadorov on TSN with the game day press scrum. The usual questions, him talking about how he is an emotional person how it was such a great first year under Sutter, and last year was tough and he was so emotionally invested that it hurt. But the best part of his time here was teammates and will be friends for life.
Then someone asking how, since he is so emotional, how he "feels" leaving Calgary. Besides his answer about loving the city and not meeting one bad person here, he says that it's business and "no one gives a #### about my feelings, so not going to cry about it".
Asked if he wished the agent wouldn't have made his demands public, the first abrupt answer "I'm happy with where I am at".
When then asked what changed between saying wanting to be a Flame for life in April to now: "I didn't get a contract offer" and again abruptly ended it at that.
Just my opinion, but Zadorov is the kind of guy who would have went through walls for the team, stick up for any of his teammates regardless the opposing player who needs the speaking to, but at the same time, was able to read the tea leaves that Flames management didn't see him as the player that Zadorov sees himself as (him seeing himself as a top 4 guy, Flames brass seeing him as a bottom pair guy strictly). This disagreement in the assessment of him as a player and his potential led to him wanting to leave thinking he will get that recognition elsewhere (remains to be seen).
So he continues to be a bottom pair defenceman that has an inconsistent skillset and hitting ability that makes you feel like he could do more, but doesn't quite earn it/deliver it.
The grit factor will probably dictate he makes his desired $4-$4.5 on a 6 year term from someone in free agency.
Love Big Z but he's looking for his big payday (rightfully so) and it's a major overpay if we're the team paying it. Can't fault the guy for looking to get paid but I just don't see him as anything above a 3rd pairing guy and those guys shouldn't get paid the money he wants. At least if you're trying to ice a competitive team they shouldn't. I'd rather pay on the low end for our 3rd pairing and use the money on upgrades up front.
Unfortunately that's another jersey to retire in my closet lol - every time I get someone's jersey they get traded or leave us...
Love Big Z but he's looking for his big payday (rightfully so) and it's a major overpay if we're the team paying it. Can't fault the guy for looking to get paid but I just don't see him as anything above a 3rd pairing guy and those guys shouldn't get paid the money he wants. At least if you're trying to ice a competitive team they shouldn't. I'd rather pay on the low end for our 3rd pairing and use the money on upgrades up front.
Unfortunately that's another jersey to retire in my closet lol - every time I get someone's jersey they get traded or leave us...
Can I buy you a Huberdeau jersey?
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Originally Posted by Poe969
It's the Law of E=NG. If there was an Edmonton on Mars, it would stink like Uranus.
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And I won't lie that one did cross my mind, instead I got the Backlund heritage classic jersey. Plan on wearing it in Arizona as long as he isn't traded by then!
