Western conference team has reportedly inquired about one of the Bruins top defensemen
Photo credit: Athlon Sports
The Boston Bruins signed defenseman Nikita Zadarov to a massive $30 Million deal during free agency. Since then he's had trouble acclimating to the Bruins system, according to Jim Montgomery.
Now, the man who walked away from an insulting offer from the Vancouver Canucks might be headed back there, if GM Don Sweeney has anything to do with it.
The 2013 16th overall draft pick claims the Canucks disrespected him with their offers, even though they offered him more money than he'd ever received up to that point in his NHL career. His whole take on the situation smacked of hypocrisy, with him actually being the issue during negotiations.
We had previously heard speculation that Zadorov was being offered $4.5 million annually, for four or five years. On Friday morning, Dhaliwal was even more specific, as he said the Canucks offered a four-year contract worth $4.6 million annually, prior to the start of last season's playoffs
According to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, the defenseman is drawing interest from his former club, and GM Patrik Allvin of the Canucks.
"Weird idea that may only make sense to me: Nikita Zadorov back to Vancouver. No idea if even possible, or if anyone would want it, but he was a good fit and the Canucks miss him."
Zadarov was a staple in the Canucks defense and worked well under Rick Tocchet which may be part of the reason why they're interested in bringing him back.
"We already know they've thought about Nikita Zadorov; some say they've already called Boston about Zadorov."
The Bruins would have to make a certain amount of concessions to make the deal palatable. As Zadarov has shown he's been unable to play with discipline early in the season accumulating 46 PIMs quicker than anyone else in the Black and Gold.
The former 16th overall pick in 2013, has only put up 7 points(1 G, 6 A) in 25 games and is finally on the ice with a +1 rating. A feat that seems unreal with a team struggling to put goals on the net.
He's only scored 2 points in his last 5 games and has a $5 Million AAV, which wouldn't be able to fit under the Canucks cap space which is $799K at the moment.
But with defenseman Filip Hronek out, the Canucks have to find a way to fill the gaps in the lineup.
Zadarov could be a solution, albeit costly for Allvin, Rutherford, and Company.
Despite that, the Bruins should be ready to make deals to improve the roster, even if it means moving on from those we wouldn't expect.
Retaining salary could increase the value of the return for the Bruins, and with the little assets and prospects the B's do have, it'd do Don Sweeney justice to re-fill the treasure trove he's pillaged during his time here.
If the trade deadline rolls around and the Bruins are out of a playoff spot, is there a reason why they're not making moves including Zadarov?
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 1 | 70 ANSWERS Western conference team has reportedly inquired about one of the Bruins top defensemen Do you think defenseman Nikita Zadarov should be traded by the Boston Bruins as soon as possible? | ||
| Yes | 43 | 61.4 % |
| No | 27 | 38.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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