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Nikita Zadorov

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In this name that follows Eastern Slavic naming customs, the patronymic is Sergeyevich and the family name is Zadorov.

Nikita Zadorov
Zadorov with the Calgary Flames in 2023
Born (1995-04-16) 16 April 1995 (age 29)
Moscow, Russia
Height 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Weight 250 lb (113 kg; 17 st 12 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Boston Bruins
Buffalo Sabres
Colorado Avalanche
Chicago Blackhawks
Calgary Flames
Vancouver Canucks
National team  Russia
NHL draft 16th overall, 2013
Buffalo Sabres
Playing career 2012–present

Nikita Sergeyevich Zadorov (Russian: Никита Сергеевич Задоров; born 16 April 1995) is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was originally drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the first round, 16th overall, in the 2013 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

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Junior

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Zadorov played in the 2008 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the HC CSKA Moscow youth team.[1] He played in the top minor hockey level with his hometown team in Moscow, Krasnaya Armiya, in the 2011–12 season. Showing unique agility and skating prowess for a formidable frame, Zadorov scored 6 points in 42 games. He was selected by affiliate Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) club CSKA Moscow in the first round, fourth overall, of the 2012 KHL Junior Draft.[2] However, with an impressive performance with the junior national U17 team in Windsor, Ontario, and stating his intention to pursue a career in North America in order to be selected in the NHL draft, London Knights general manager Mark Hunter traded up with the Peterborough Petes in the 2012 CHL Import Draft to select Zadorov ninth overall.[3]

After agreeing to a contract with the Knights, Zadorov began his major junior career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in the 2012–13 season, joining fellow Russian Vladislav Namestnikov. After adapting to the differing style and dimensions of the North American game, Zadorov assumed a top pairing role and led All-Rookie defencemen in plus–minus with +33, and finishing second in scoring with 6 goals and 25 points in 63 games.[4] Earning a roster spot in the 2013 CHL Top Prospects Game, Zadorov helped the Knights claim the OHL championship to advance to the Memorial Cup.[3] As he was selected to the OHL First-All Rookie Team, he scored the game-winner in the opening game against the Western Hockey League's Saskatoon Blades before losing in the semi-finals.[5] Zadorov's impressive season was noted as he was selected with the Buffalo Sabres's second first-round pick, 16th overall, in the 2013 NHL entry draft.[6]

Buffalo Sabres

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Zadorov with the Buffalo Sabres in 2013.

Zadorov attended his first rookie and NHL training camp and after his third pre-season contest he was signed by the Sabres to a three-year, entry-level contract on 26 September 2013.[7] Under the assessment of head coach Ron Rolston, he made the Sabres' opening night roster to begin the 2013–14 season.[8] Zadorov sat out the first ten games before he made his NHL debut in a 4–2 defeat to the Colorado Avalanche on 19 October.[9] In just his second game, against the Boston Bruins on 23 October, Zadorov scored on his first shot in the NHL, against Chad Johnson.[10] In so doing, he became the youngest Sabres defenceman in franchise history to achieve the feat.[11]

With the Sabres cleaning out the front office and coaching staff, and with an imperative to rely less on the youth from new head coach Ted Nolan, on 19 November, Zadorov was returned to junior with the London Knights after seven NHL games played.[12] He played out the remainder of the season with the Knights, assuming a top-pairing role in surpassing his rookie season totals in points (30) in half the number of games (36), earning a selection to the OHL Second All-Star Team.[13]

Despite a benching during the rookie pre-season tournament in Traverse City, Michigan, Zadorov rebounded to have a strong training camp to make the Sabres' opening-night roster in the 2014–15 season as a permanent addition to the blueline.[14][15] He initially only saw limited playing time as a rotational option to the third-pairing under Ted Nolan and was primarily on the team for practice only (he was not yet eligible for the American Hockey League and a tie-up involving Zadorov's KHL rights prevented him from being returned to juniors).[16] Zadorov's playing time soon increased in the season as the team's coaching staff decided to keep Zadorov regardless of his junior situation.[17][18] In developing a shut-down role through his physicality, Zadorov showed offensive glimpses, collecting his first multi-point game in scoring an overtime marker in a 4–3 victory over the Florida Panthers on 13 December 2014.[19] Zadorov also became the youngest Sabres defenceman in history to score an overtime winner.[20] Zadorov showed his youth by suffering two team suspensions over the course of his rookie campaign, after returning late from holiday over the All-Star break and later oversleeping through a team practice.[21] Despite a lowly year for the Sabres, Zadorov led the blueline in plus–minus and finished with 3 goals, 12 assists in 60 games.[22]

Colorado Avalanche

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At the 2015 NHL entry draft, Zadorov was traded as a central piece by the Sabres in a package that also included Mikhail Grigorenko, J. T. Compher and the 31st pick in the draft to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Ryan O'Reilly and Jamie McGinn on 26 June 2015.[23] Upon learning about the trade, Zadorov said he was happy since he "knew about this organization...it’s always nice to play for a GM who's actually been here and knows what it’s like for the players when you’re playing and working hard."[24] He began the season with the team but was reassigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, in order to improve his game. When speaking of the decision, General Manager Joe Sakic said "for a young man in that position, he needs to play a ton and work on his confidence. He’ll go down and play as much as he can and keep learning that way. The only way you can get better is by playing a lot at a young man’s age."[25] At the time of his reassignment, he had recorded two assists in 11 games and been a healthy scratch for four consecutive games.[26] Zadorov remained in the AHL until he earned his first recall on 13 January alongside Chris Bigras after Nate Guenin was placed on waivers.[27] His stay in the NHL was short-lived, however, as he was reassigned to the Rampage on 23 January after Erik Johnson was activated from injured reserve.[28]

The following year, Zadorov made the Avalanche's lineup out of training camp and remained on their roster for the entirety of the 2016–17 season. In February 2017, Zadorov collided with forward Mikko Rantanen during practice and suffered a season-ending fractured ankle injury. At the time of the incident, he had recorded 10 assists and no goals in 56 games.[29] Prior to the start of the 2017–18 season, the Avalanche signed him to a two-year contract extension to remain with the team.[30] He was also medically cleared to play but was late returning for the Avalanche's 2017 training camp due to Visa issues.[31] Entering his third season with the team, Zadorov broke one franchise record and set his own new career-high totals in goals, assists, and points. On 22 March, Zadorov surpassed the previous Avalanche record for most hits in a single game with 15, which was also the third-most hits by an NHL player since 1998–99. By the conclusion of the season, Zadorov led the league with 278 hits and recorded a career-best seven goals, 13 assists, and 20 points.[32]

Zadorov with the Avalanche in 2019.

On the heels of his most successful season, Zadorov underwent shoulder surgery in the off-season and was expected to miss participating in the Avalanche's 2018 training camp.[33] In spite of this, Zadorov participated in the Avalanche's training camp wearing a non-contact jersey before being cleared as a full participant in practice on 20 September.[34] He ended his fourth year campaign playing in 70 regular season games and recording seven goals, seven assists, and accumulating 75 penalty minutes. As a result, the Avalanche re-signed Zadorov, who was expected to become a restricted free agent, to a one-year, $3.2 million contract.[35]

With his newest contract signed, Zadorov returned to the Avalanche for their 2019 training camp, although he left on the third day due to an injury.[36] He was listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury before fully returning to team practice on 24 September, with fellow injured players Pierre-Édouard Bellemare and Erik Johnson.[37] During the shortened 2019–20 season, Zadorov suffered a facial fracture as a result of taking a puck to the face during a game against the Nashville Predators.[38] He returned to the Avalanche's lineup three games later after recovering from surgery to heal his broken jaw.[39] As the Avalanche qualified for the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, they faced off against the Arizona Coyotes in the First Round. They beat the Coyotes in five games and Zadorov recorded his first playoff goal in the 7–1 Game 5 win.[40] During their Second Round contests against the Dallas Stars, Zadorov passed Matt Duchene for 74th place on the franchise playoff points list.[41] In the second-round series against the Dallas Stars, despite injuring his arm, Zadorov was able to play through pain, and following the Game 7 defeat to the Stars opted to undergo surgery. He finished the playoffs with 3 goals and 5 points through 15 games. On 8 October 2020, Zadorov as a restricted free agent was tendered a qualifying offer by the Avalanche.[42]

Chicago Blackhawks

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On 10 October 2020, Zadorov's five-year tenure with the Avalanche ended as he was dealt alongside Anton Lindholm to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Brandon Saad and Dennis Gilbert. Prior to the trade, he had accepted his one-year, $3.2 million qualifying offer for the 2020–21 season.[43] In his lone season with the Blackhawks, Zadorov appeared in 55 out of 56 regular season games, registering 1 goal and 8 points from the blueline and was unable to help Chicago return to the playoffs.

Calgary Flames

[edit]
Zadorov as a member of the Calgary Flames with Eeli Tolvanen of the Seattle Kraken in 2023.

On 28 July 2021, Zadorov – an impending restricted free agent – had his negotiation rights traded to the Calgary Flames in exchange for a 2022 third-round pick.[44] On 20 August, he agreed to a one-year, $3.75 million contract, avoiding arbitration.[45] On 12 April 2023, Zadorov recorded his first career NHL hat-trick in a 3–1 win over the San Jose Sharks.[46]

On 10 November 2023, following a loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, it was reported that Zadorov had requested a trade.[47][48]

Vancouver Canucks

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Zadorov's trade request was granted on 30 November 2023, when he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round pick and a 2026 third-round pick.[49] He achieved a Gordie Howe hat trick in a 4–3 overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche at Rogers Arena on 13 March 2024. He earned an assist on an Ilya Mikheyev goal in the first period and scored the Canucks' third goal and fought Josh Manson both in a span of 37 seconds in the second.[50]

Boston Bruins

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Leaving the Canucks as a free agent having been unable to come to terms on an extension at the conclusion of his contract, Zadorov returned to the Eastern Conference in signing a six-year, $30 million deal with the Boston Bruins on 1 July 2024.[51]

International play

[edit]
Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing  Russia
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2019 Slovakia
World Junior Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2014 Malmö

Following a second-round exit with the Avalanche in the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs, on 11 May 2019, Zadorov was a late inclusion on the Russian squad to make his senior international debut at the 2019 IIHF World Championships held in Bratislava, Slovakia.[52]

Personal life

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Zadorov married his wife in 2015.[53] They have two daughters, who were born in 2017 and 2020.[54] In the offseason, Zadorov resides in Miami, Florida.[55]

In September 2023, Zadorov spoke with Russian journalist Yury Dud about politics, including the Russo-Ukrainian War, which he opposes. Zadorov said that Russian NHL players had attempted to form a joint statement about the war, but failed to reach any agreement.[56][57] Speaking to Canadian media the day after the interview's release, Zadorov said: "I probably can't go back [to Russia] anytime soon."[58] In May 2024, Iain McIntyre of Sportsnet called Zadorov a "player without a country".[55]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2011–12 Krasnaya Armiya MHL 41 2 4 6 63 8 0 0 0 8
2012–13 London Knights OHL 63 6 19 25 54 20 2 4 6 36
2013–14 Buffalo Sabres NHL 7 1 0 1 4 — — — — —
2013–14 London Knights OHL 36 11 19 30 43 9 4 5 9 12
2014–15 Buffalo Sabres NHL 60 3 12 15 51 — — — — —
2015–16 Colorado Avalanche NHL 22 0 2 2 12 — — — — —
2015–16 San Antonio Rampage AHL 52 10 19 29 90 — — — — —
2016–17 Colorado Avalanche NHL 56 0 10 10 73 — — — — —
2017–18 Colorado Avalanche NHL 77 7 13 20 103 6 1 2 3 32
2018–19 Colorado Avalanche NHL 70 7 7 14 75 12 0 0 0 24
2019–20 Colorado Avalanche NHL 64 4 9 13 65 15 3 2 5 18
2020–21 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 55 1 7 8 36 — — — — —
2021–22 Calgary Flames NHL 74 4 18 22 77 12 0 3 3 24
2022–23 Calgary Flames NHL 82 14 7 21 80 — — — — —
2023–24 Calgary Flames NHL 21 1 5 6 23 — — — — —
2023–24 Vancouver Canucks NHL 54 5 9 14 102 13 4 4 8 26
NHL totals 642 47 99 146 701 58 8 11 19 124

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2012 Russia U17 1st place, gold medalist(s) 5 0 3 3 8
2012 Russia IH18 5th 4 0 3 3 0
2012 Russia U18 5th 6 2 0 2 4
2014 Russia WJC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 7 4 1 5 6
2019 Russia WC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 9 0 1 1 14
2021 ROC WC 5th 8 0 3 3 2
Junior totals 22 6 7 13 18
Senior totals 17 0 4 4 16

Awards and honours

[edit]
Award Year Ref
OHL
First All-Rookie Team 2013 [59]
CHL Top Prospects Game 2013
Second All-Star Team 2014 [13]
International
WJC All-Star Team 2014

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  2. ^ "KHL Entry Draft 2012". Kontinental Hockey League. 2 August 2012. Archived from the original on 30 May 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Size, mobility give Zadorov "Unlimited Potential"". National Hockey League. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  4. ^ "Nikita Zadorov prospect profile". Buffalo Sabres. 4 May 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  5. ^ Clipperton, Joshua (17 May 2013). "Zadorov scores winner as Knights top Blades in Memorial Cup opener". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  6. ^ Lepore, Steve (30 June 2013). "2013 NHL Draft: Sabres select Nikita Zadorov with No. 16 pick". SBNation. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  7. ^ "Sabres sign Zadorov to entry-level contract". Buffalo Sabres. 26 September 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  8. ^ "Sabres' Nikita Zadorov a Zdeno Chara in the making". Rantsports.com. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  9. ^ "Zadorov shines in his season debut". Buffalo News. 20 October 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  10. ^ "Sabres lose to Bruins, off to worst start in team history". CBS Sports. 23 October 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  11. ^ "Game preview at Rangers". digitalpressbox.com. 31 October 2013. Retrieved 2 November 2013.
  12. ^ "Buffalo Sabres shake up roster, demote Zadorov to junior". fansided.com. 19 November 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  13. ^ a b "OHL announces 2013-14 All-Star teams". Ontario Hockey League. 29 March 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
  14. ^ "Cassidy benched Zadorov". hockeybuzz.com. 15 September 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
  15. ^ "Wait and see mode for Knights". lfpress.com. 1 October 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  16. ^ Hoppe, Bill (15 October 2014). "Michal Neuvirth set to start again in net, Zadorov could play soon". Buffalohockeybeat.com. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  17. ^ Hoppe, Bill (17 November 2014). "Sabres plan to keep Nikita Zadorov". Buffalohockeybeat.com. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  18. ^ "Sabres' Zadorov won't be released for World Juniors". NBC Sports. 13 December 2014. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  19. ^ "Zadorov leads Sabres over Panthers". CBS Sports. 13 December 2014. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  20. ^ "Nikita Zadorov player biography". Buffalo Sabres. 7 June 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  21. ^ "Sabre's Nikita Zadorov apologetic about missing meeting". buffalohockeybeat.com. 23 February 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  22. ^ "Buffalo Sabres year in review: Nikita Zadorov". Sabre Noise. 7 June 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  23. ^ "Avalanche trade O'Reilly to Sabres". tsn.ca. The Sports Network. 26 June 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  24. ^ Frei, Terry (18 September 2015). "Nikita Zadorov has chance with Avalanche to prove he wasn't overvalued in NHL draft". Denver Post. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  25. ^ "GM Joe Sakic discusses Nikita Zadorov demotion & Alex Tanguay injury". Denver Post. 7 November 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  26. ^ "Avalanche's Nikita Zadorov: Reassigned to AHL San Antonio on Saturday". CBS Sports. 7 November 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  27. ^ Frei, Terry (13 January 2016). "Avs place Nate Guenin on waivers, recall Chris Bigras, Nikita Zadorov". Denver Post. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  28. ^ Sadowski, Rick (23 January 2016). "Varlamov, Avalanche top Blues in shootout". nhl.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  29. ^ "Nikita Zadorov fractures ankle, out for season". nhl.com. National Hockey League. 20 February 2017. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  30. ^ "Avalanche Signs Zadorov". NHL.com. National Hockey League. 15 September 2017. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  31. ^ Chambers, Mike (21 September 2017). "Russian Nikita Zadorov finally reports to Avalanche camp". Denver Post. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  32. ^ Bufton, Saber (30 August 2018). "Nikita Zadorov: 2017-18 Season In Review". nhl.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  33. ^ "Avalanche's Nikita Zadorov: Could miss training camp". CBS Sports. 7 July 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  34. ^ "Avalanche's Nikita Zadorov: Returns to practice". CBS Sports. 20 September 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  35. ^ "Avalanche re-sign Nikita Zadorov to one-year contract". Sportsnet.ca. Sportsnet. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  36. ^ Knabenbauer (15 September 2019). "Avs Scrimmage on Day 3 of Training Camp". nhl.com. National Hockey League.
  37. ^ "Injured D-men Return to Full Practice". nhl.com. National Hockey League. 24 September 2019.
  38. ^ "Avalanche's Nikita Zadorov out indefinitely with facial injury". Sportsnet.ca. Sportsnet. 8 November 2019. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  39. ^ Knabenbauer, Ron (16 November 2019). "Zadorov Returns To Action With Added Protection". nhl.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  40. ^ "Avalanche rout Coyotes to roll into 2nd round of playoffs". cbc.ca. 19 August 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  41. ^ @avsstats (26 August 2020). "Nikita Zadorov passes Matt Duchene on the franchise playoff points leaderboard moving into 74th all time #goavsgo" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  42. ^ "Avalanche sends nine qualifying offers". Colorado Avalanche. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  43. ^ "Blackhawks acquire Zadorov, Lindholm from Avalanche". Chicago Blackhawks. 10 October 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  44. ^ "Flames acquire Nikita Zadorov". Calgary Flames. 28 July 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  45. ^ "Flames ink Zadorov to one-year, $3.75 million deal". The Sports Network. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  46. ^ Vickers, Aaron. "Wolf wins NHL debut, Flames defeat Sharks in season finale". NHL.com. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  47. ^ Sportak, Randy (11 November 2023). "Flames defenseman Nikita Zadorov reportedly has asked to be traded". The Hockey News. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  48. ^ "Flames will trade Nikita Zadorov on own timetable". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  49. ^ "Flames acquire picks from Vancouver". Calgary Flames. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  50. ^ Kierszenblat, Adam (13 March 2024). "Canucks Surrender Three-Goal Lead, Fall In Overtime To The Avalanche". The Hockey News. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  51. ^ "Bruins announce July 1 transactions". Boston Bruins. 1 July 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  52. ^ "Nikita Zadorov joins the Russian National Team at the World Cup". championat.com. 11 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  53. ^ Chambers, Mike (15 April 2018). "Avalanche fashionista Nikita Zadorov to celebrate his birthday in style". Denver Post. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  54. ^ LoFurno, Brooke (31 January 2021). "Chicago Blackhawks' Nikita Zadorov: 5 Quick Facts". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  55. ^ a b MacIntyre, Iain (31 May 2024). "Canucks face difficult decision with Zadorov's looming free agency". Sportsnet. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  56. ^ Dud, Yury (21 September 2023). Задоров – русский хоккеист, который не молчит / Zadorov – Russian hockey player who is not silent (in Russian).
  57. ^ "Хоккеист Никита Задоров рассказал о реакции российских хоккеистов НХЛ на события на Украине". Sports.ru (in Russian). 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  58. ^ 'I probably can't go back anytime soon': Zadorov discusses speaking out against Russia, 22 September 2023, retrieved 22 September 2023
  59. ^ "Connor McDavid win OHL rookie of the year". Niagara Falls Review. 4 April 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
[edit]
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Buffalo Sabres first round draft pick
2013 		Succeeded by
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