[ad_1]
Breadcrumb Trail Links
Zadorov knows his game. He knows his worth. He’d like to stay. He’ll take a discount. He’ll also earn as much as US$6 million annually in free agency.
Get the latest from Ben Kuzma straight to your inbox
Published Jun 16, 2024 • Last updated 7 hours ago • 5 minute read
You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
Canucks defenceman Nikita Zadorov launches Oilers winger Evander Kane into the bench during Game 3 of the NHL opening-round playoff series in Edmonton. Photo by Codie McLachlan /Getty Images
Article content
Nikita Zadorov has never lacked for confidence, swagger or strong opinions.
Advertisement 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.
- Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.
- The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.
- Support local journalism.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.
- Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.
- The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.
- Support local journalism.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
Sign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
The hulking unrestricted free agent (UFA) defenceman has played for five NHL teams and it could be a sixth if his camp can’t reach contract terms with the Vancouver Canucks.
That final line in the negotiation sand was supposed be drawn on the weekend with a last offer, but it’s not a stretch to suggest that Zadorov isn’t losing sleep over the chess match to determine his long-term worth.
He knows his game. He knows his worth. He’d like to stay. However, he’s going to earn as much as US$6 million annually in free agency.
Zadorov, 29, quickly became a fan favourite for his fresh, frank and funny demeanour, and for delivering thundering hits on an expiring $3.75 million salary-cap hit. A leap to $6 million for a third-pairing, left-shot defenceman is massive, but intangibles suggest $5 million might be workable. He had turned down $4.5 million and maybe there’s wiggle room with contract term.
Advertisement 3
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Still, in a bottom-line business, the Canucks have to eventually draw a line and could walk away. But with UFA depth defenceman Ian Cole expected to test the market, there could be two back-end holes to fill.
A potential bottom-pairing fit fizzled Friday when the Carolina Hurricanes signed former Canuck and pending right-shot UFA Jalen Chatfield, 28, to a three-year, $9 million extension.
At age 33, UFA Brenden Dillon might be a placeholder fit on limited term because he has the size at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds. And maybe the left shot New Westminster native would take a hometown discount on his expiring $3.9 million cap hit.
Noah Juulsen, 27, has a year left on his deal at a bargain $775,000 cap hit. His improvement this season — including a 163 hits in just 54 games to lead club defenders — could make the right-shot Surrey native a third-pairing regular.
Canucks Report
Thanks for signing up!
Article content
Advertisement 4
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Nikita Zadorov gets fist pumps after scoring against the Predators in Game 2 of a first-round playoff series on April 23 at Rogers Arena. Photo by Derek Cain /Getty Images
Aside from how it plays out, the imposing 6-foot-6, 248-pound Zadorov sent an early message of belief in his long-term value after logging just eight games following a trade from the Calgary Flames.
“I’m not even close to what I can do and what coaches want to see,” Zadorov told this reporter. “I can skate with the puck more and make more plays. When I get used to it (systems), it will show for sure.”
And it did.
Zadorov came to the emotional rescue to ensure nobody messes with star players — like in Chicago on Dec. 17 when he fought to answer a hard hit on Elias Pettersson — and then peaked with a strong playoff presence.
He’s what head coach Rick Tocchet has always coveted. A big defencemen who can defend physically and positionally, quickly exit the zone with crisp passes and join the rush to cause coverage problems.
Advertisement 5
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
When Zadorov responded with heightened testosterone and post-season production levels with eight points (4-4) in 13 games — including highlight-reel rushes to pick the top corners from a wide angle — to go with 45 playoff hits — it sent a message.
It followed up his 124 hits in 54 regular-season games after 53 in 21 outings with the Flames and teased of more offensive potential. Zadorov had 14 goals in 2022-23.
More importantly, the Canucks have gone from hunters to the hunted. They won’t surprise anybody next season and ensuring they can take the next step means measuring up on the back end.
It’s why Zadrov touted defensive coaches Adam Foote and Sergei Gonchar as key cogs because he has so much more to give.
“Foote had a coach on top of him all the time, so he knows how to treat players, what we want to hear on the ice and what we don’t want to hear,” stressed Zadorov. “He’s really smart and helps my style for sure.
Advertisement 6
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
“And Gonchar is saying stuff I’ve never heard. He was super-skilled and shows where to create more shooting lanes and where to put your feet and body to make better passes.”
Zadorov moves and pivots well for a towering defender and that foundation came at an early age in figure skating. Yes, “Big Z” did spins and twirls.
“I worked with a coach from age seven to 13,” he said during an engaging Q&A. “It’s impossible to change your skating after you’re 18. You can add some skill stuff, but it’s important at a young age.
“It was always defence for me because I was bigger than everybody. I played a little basketball in middle school, but you gave to commit to one sport if you want to be good. My parents always invested and I had 6 a.m. practices.”
Advertisement 7
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
There’s also another side to Zadorov.
He quickly embraced his new surroundings at the arena with a flair for fashion and camaraderie as much as his family did in adjusting to West Vancouver. His comfort factor in the room was matched by competitive potential with a 109-point team that captured the Pacific Division and nearly advanced to the Western Conference final.
Hulking Canucks defenceman Nikita Zadorov gets body position on Avalanche forward Miles Wood during a Feb. 20 meeting in Denver. Photo by David Zalubowski /AP
Zadorov is a Moscow native and resides in Florida during the off-season. When he finally hangs up the skates, world politics could be his calling — especially with the continuing Russian war and atrocities in Ukraine.
“I’m a pretty straightforward person,” he said. “As players, we can use our platform. If people are going to ask me a question, I’m going to give an honest answer all the time.
Advertisement 8
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
“They (Russia) call it an invasion but it’s not an invasion, That’s bulls — t. It’s a war. They’re sending rockets and killing people and when you cross the border first, that’s a war. They make up cool words so it doesn’t look so bad, but that’s part of the propaganda.
“But they’re literally killing people who we have lived beside. I don’t know what he (Russian President Vladimir Putin) is trying to do or the U.S. (financial, arms support). There’s a lot of stuff that goes into politics, I’m trying to educate myself.
“With his (Putin’s) regime, it’s impossible to go back. I don’t see a future for myself or my kids in that country.”
Zadorov obviously sees it in Canada and would like a future in Vancouver.
bkuzma@postmedia.com
Recommended from Editorial
-
Canucks: Yes, Brock Boeser would love Jake Guentzel as a teammate
-
Why the Canucks are hoping to trade Ilya Mikheyev
Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know — add VancouverSun.com and TheProvince.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here.
You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber: For just $14 a month, you can get unlimited access to The Vancouver Sun, The Province, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Vancouver Sun | The Province.
Article content
Share this article in your social network
[ad_2]
Source link
Fitnessnacks – #Canucks #final #contract #line #sand #Zadorov #hard #draw
Courtesy : https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/canucks-news-nikita-zadorov-contract