Confirmed Signing with Link: [BOS] D Nikita Zadorov signs with the Bruins (6 years, $5M AAV)

[JoeSakic13]

Glad Zads got the bag, but holy crap that’s an overpayment.

 

[soothsayer]

Watched this guy get shredded in Calgary and Vancouver (he didn't stop shit in the playoffs) and this is a horrific signing lol.

 

[bossram]

It's not nearly as bad as it sounded like it could be, but it's still a ton of money and term for a guy who has spent most of his career as a somewhat inconsistent impact #4/5 "tweener". Unique skillset and all and the Bruins system will probably help get a lot out of him.

At the same time...i'd rather have one $5M Zadorov than $3.5M worth of Forbort and Desharnais. Term is the kicker though. I'm not sure how comfortable i would be with 6 years of Zadorov. I'm not sure his game is going to age that gracefully. It's physically demanding, and very dependent on that physical skillset. If the wheels start to fall off and/or he starts to accumulate more significant injuries that neuter his physical play...he'll become a pretty useless player. And 6 years is certainly long enough for that to happen. Just a question of how many decent years they get out of him first.

I wouldn't, not with this term and AAV combo.

We all love Big Z's playoff run. But it was like 11 good games. He's never played or been trusted to do more than be a 5D before in his career, and he's always faced sheltered competition.

I don't think you can take that career body of work and make this bet. But I'm happy if Boston wants to do that.

 

[rea]

Won't comment on his contract, but I wish the big guy the best. He doesn't have many detractors here in van, hope he does well, except when he plays us haha. His style of play perfectly suits Bruins hockey, your fanbase will love him

 

[Khrox]

General Zad will do good in Boston. Will definitely keep an eye on him

 

[lawrence]

Boston paid too much for a guy like him. 6 years is ok. his game will age well since he's just there for intimation, protective and hitting services. but 5 million for a bottom pairing?? too much. will miss ya Zadarov. At least you're not in the west.

 

[SillyRabbit]

This is a slight overpayment, but for a July 1st signing, you expect to overpay.

Canucks should've kept him at this price.

I think the Bruins will be very happy with him.

 

[Ralonzo]

Can't call him Big Z tho that's taken

His nickname as a rookie was "Baby Z"

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

Watched this guy get shredded in Calgary and Vancouver (he didn't stop shit in the playoffs) and this is a horrific signing lol.

 

[DeltaSwede]

I would not have minded this signing if it were for my team so I think it's completely fine. There is a good chance that Zadorov has found another step. He showed really well over his time in Vancouver.

It sounds really biased which it probably is, but I feel like he was likelier to reach another level in Vancouver than somewhere else with the coaching he was receiving. He looked every bit of a #2/3 at times.

Time will tell. I bet this ends up being a very appreciated signing and contract for the B's

 

[BHD]

Don Sweeney must think we are in 2002.

 

[WreckingCrew]

Just missing Trouba to have the perfect trifecta of dirty elbow-throwing defensemen!!

 

[Ghost of Murph]

Boston needed a player such as Zadorov mainly for the postseason. Seems like a really good add for their team, albeit at a steep price. I think he will thrive with the Bruins.

 

[iFan]

I liked Zad a lot, in the same way I liked Luke Schenn, I think similar player for sure. A gritty, hard hitting 3rd pairing guy who can play in the top 4 with the right partner but 5 million is a bit rich. Maybe he will take the next step and be a solid top 4 guy, then it's a good deal.

 

[Caboose]

Love Z, great team guy, provides a swagger that contending teams need. If he can show consistency at the level he showed in the playoffs than this is actually going to be a steal, at least for the first few years.

Problem is, he has shown flashes in the past, yet never showed the consistency and has bounced around teams. There is a chance that this continues and then this contract will be quite bad.

However, Bruins are a competitive team that will want to compete for the cup, so if he is just inconsistent during the regular season and turns into a beast in the playoffs than this contract will be just fine.

So in summary, I have no f***ing clue what to think of this contract. Z is such a wildcard.

I still wish the Canucks kept him. I would have given him 5 for 4 years for the gamble and locker room presence.

Edit: To be honest I would pay a consistent playoff Zad 6.5x4... Dude was a monster, massive hits, great puck retrieval, offensive instincts. But best part was, he didn't take himself out of position to make those massive hits and offensive plays either while also providing every intangible you could want on a cup contending team. Damn, Bruins truly might have gotten themselves yet ANOTHER steal for a massively impactful unicorn defenseman

 

[Mad-Marcus]

He'll be slotted in the correct spot behind MacAvoy, H Lindholm, and Carlo. PK specialist and policeman against BS like FLA brings. Lohrie will pass him on the depth chart by mid season.
Prices go up every year, if the B's didn't sign him for this $$, someone else would have.
Plus Believe what you will, Chara was Zadarov's hero and now he is psyched to play for the team of his hero. Same with Elias L, they wanted to be HERE. It makes a difference.
The plan at least for the beginning of the season is to play MacAvoy with Z and this should allow MacAvoy to attack more.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

Yeah that's... hmmm. Vancouver was smart not to match that offer.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

If Lohrie looks as good as he did in the playoffs this year, I'd keep him with McAvoy. Boston has a top 10 blueline in the NHL.

 

[PB37]

If Lohrie looks as good as he did in the playoffs this year, I'd keep him with McAvoy. Boston has a top 10 blueline in the NHL.

I think for balance, Lohrei will end up on the 3rd pairing with Peeke to be the one that handles the puck and rushes up the ice while Peeke plays the stay at home role. Plus he's the most inexperienced of Boston's dmen, so it makes sense to let him grow in a lesser role as he continues to hone his NHL game.

 

[wintersej]

I think for balance, Lohrei will end up on the 3rd pairing with Peeke to be the one that handles the puck and rushes up the ice while Peeke plays the stay at home role. Plus he's the most inexperienced of Boston's dmen, so it makes sense to let him grow in a lesser role as he continues to hone his NHL game.

With some offensive zone starts with McAvoy sprinkled in.

 

[Troublesome 85]

Bruins had 6m combined on 2 stiffs in Grizz and Forbot. Zadarov is 5m and brings needed toughness

 

[ManofSteel55]

I expected a team to give Zadorov a contract like this. I didn't expect it to be a team like Boston, that typically makes smart moves. Zadorov is the kind of guy that looks like he should be able to be a top pair guy based on his tools, but he's struggled almost any time he has gotten on the 2nd pair, let alone the top.

 

[Rick Rocket]

To Bruins fans:

"Overpayment, only bottom pairing, gets shredded"

Often means:

"He hurt us and our players and I hate that big jerk"

 

[The Hockey Tonk Man]

Gotta think the B's have one of the best D cores in the league right now with this signing.

Maybe a slight overpay/too many years. But so UFA signings go. Teams get out of bad contracts all the time in later years. So not too concerned about that.

 

[Bread and Circuses]

I expected a team to give Zadorov a contract like this. I didn't expect it to be a team like Boston, that typically makes smart moves. Zadorov is the kind of guy that looks like he should be able to be a top pair guy based on his tools, but he's struggled almost any time he has gotten on the 2nd pair, let alone the top.

The B’s have one of the best defensive systems in the league, I’m not saying Zadorov is going to be a minute munching top pair guy but he is going to do well in the system playing with a stay at home D like Carlo.