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A completed signing by Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney nearly took a big turn


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Bruce Raymond
November 21, 2025  (8:13)
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Nov 17, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov (91) shoves Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (4) after a whistle during the third period at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Photo credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

A recent report has revealed that a completed signing by Boston Bruins' general manager, Don Sweeney, nearly took a big turn.

Just yesterday, the Boston Bruins organization made a major move by putting a letter on defenseman Nikita Zadorov's jersey for the first time.
As this Original Six franchise named him alternative captain, with both Charlie McAvoy and Elias Lindholm not being in the team's lineup on Wednesday, November 19, against the Anaheim Ducks.
Naming Zadorov assistant captain is evidently an official acknowledgment of just how much this blue liner means to the organization and how much of a leader he has ultimately become.
With that being said, a recent report unveiled that GM Don Sweeney nearly missed out on acquiring Zadorov in the first place.

New statement unveils that the Boston Bruins almost missed out on acquiring Nikita Zadorov

Despite Nikita Zadorov being a home run addition for the Boston Bruins since they signed him on July 1, 2024, it has been revealed things nearly took a big turn prior to the Bruins' acquisition.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman revealed that the Boston Bruins landed Nikita Zadorov over their Original Six rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs, outbidding Toronto by $500,000.
Arguably, that was the best $500,000 spent by the Boston Bruins in a very long time.
The Hockey News touched on the subject as well and why this was a slam dunk for the Bruins:
"The butterfly effect goes even deeper. Had Toronto landed Zadorov, perhaps they never trade for Brandon Carlo, and then the Bruins don't have what's potentially a lottery pick and Fraser Minten, two elite pieces for Boston."

Do you think the Boston Bruins made the right move by acquiring Nikita Zadorov?
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NOVEMBRE 21   |   133 ANSWERS
A completed signing by Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney nearly took a big turn

Do you think the Boston Bruins made the right move by acquiring Nikita Zadorov?

Yes12291.7 %
I think so75.3 %
No43 %
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