Player Discussion Nikita Zadorov

Sheppy

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Nov 23, 2011
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I thought he started the game well last night but yeah, seemed that Reaves settled him down a bit for sure. Basically every situation where the Bruins would have reason to run around, Reaves came out on the ice and the game got quiet. People will tell you that didn't happen, though.

Reaves sucks ass, but to say he's not an intimidation factor is flat out wrong.
 

Rivrfront

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Aug 30, 2024
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better suited for playoff hockey. Seems to go through the motions for much of
the game in regular season. Probably better suited for a 5th or 6th d role so
plays against 3rd and 4TH Liners where as 1st and 2nd liners will make look silly.
 

RoccoF14

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Why does it figure? I was excited when he was signed.

He hasn't been as advertised.
The guy has been in the league 10yrs. He's playing about as good as he always has. That's why he's on his 6th team. He is what he is.....a larger version of Radko Gudas, with a lower hockey IQ.

Its people's expectations, when we signed him, that were out of whack.
 
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BruinDust

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The guy has been in the league 10yrs. He's playing about as good as he always has. That's why he's on his 6th team. He is what he is.....a larger version of Radko Gudas, with a lower hockey IQ.

Its people's expectations, when we signed him, that were out of whack.

I agree. My expectations for him certainly weren't realistic given what we've seen thus far.
 

RoccoF14

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You were expecting what was needed, and if the team was playing better, it would not be an issue.
Its not an issue now. He's not the primary reason that the team is struggling. He's playing about as well as he always has during his career. We just happen to be paying $5mil/yr for it......with a NTC.

So lets enjoy the ride.
 

Hookslide

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Its not an issue now. He's not the primary reason that the team is struggling. He's playing about as well as he always has during his career. We just happen to be paying $5mil/yr for it......with a NTC.

So lets enjoy the ride.
You are right and, in all honesty, I really am not complaining about his signing, now the Lindholm, signing, grrr grrr
 

BruinDust

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You were expecting what was needed, and if the team was playing better, it would not be an issue.

Even if this team was riding high in first place, I expected him to give this team some more swagger and confidence, so everyone plays a little bit bigger with him in the line-up. Bring some of that "F&^% you" attitude.

And I haven't seen that at all. It's still open season on Bruin star players. His only fight was against a rookie player who is much smaller than he is. His couple big hits have had zero impact on the overall results. I certainly didn't expect 10 minor penalties in 14 games.

Defensively he's pretty much what I anticipated. I knew his hockey IQ/positioning wasn't great, because if it was, he's not on team No. 6.
 

Dr Hook

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Even if this team was riding high in first place, I expected him to give this team some more swagger and confidence, so everyone plays a little bit bigger with him in the line-up. Bring some of that "F&^% you" attitude.

And I haven't seen that at all. It's still open season on Bruin star players. His only fight was against a rookie player who is much smaller than he is. His couple big hits have had zero impact on the overall results. I certainly didn't expect 10 minor penalties in 14 games.

Defensively he's pretty much what I anticipated. I knew his hockey IQ/positioning wasn't great, because if it was, he's not on team No. 6.

When was the last time they had that 'swagger and confidence' that comes from being a physical team? It's been years. It seems that adding a couple of players in Kastelic and Zadorov are not enough to change that. It's more like the core of the team just does not play that way and does not want to. Either that, or the last couple of coaches have taken pains to clamp down on it (unlikely as Bruce was/is fine in Vegas), or Sweeney doesn't want it (and that also seems unlikely given who he brought in over the summer).
 

BruinDust

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When was the last time they had that 'swagger and confidence' that comes from being a physical team? It's been years. It seems that adding a couple of players in Kastelic and Zadorov are not enough to change that. It's more like the core of the team just does not play that way and does not want to. Either that, or the last couple of coaches have taken pains to clamp down on it (unlikely as Bruce was/is fine in Vegas), or Sweeney doesn't want it (and that also seems unlikely given who he brought in over the summer).

It has been. Which is what I think they are trying to change.

Maybe the unreasonable expectation is expecting adding a few physical more aggressive players would change that mentality.
 
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Dr Hook

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It has been. Which is what I think they are trying to change.

Maybe the unreasonable expectation is expecting adding a few physical more aggressive players would change that mentality.

It's not the core and leadership group the team has I guess. Brad, Pasta, Mac, Carlo, Coyle, Hampus: those are the core leaders that would need to buy into it. Frederic can play that way, but doesn't seem to want to much (he might be more of a supporting cast guy anyway) or he has been discouraged from it.

I'd rather have a few more physical players than less of them.

It seems like it's going to take a roster makeover to see change, because it has to start with your leadership guys.
 
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GordonHowe

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I don't know how to do the thing where you highlight an avatar name to alert a board member that you've referenced them in a post.

If anyone does, please perform this magic on my behalf.

Lonnie,

Prior to the season, I was excited about the acquisition of Nikita Zadorov.

I thought and still believe that with his imposing size & intimidating physicality, as well as a reported ability to retrieve and transition pucks in the defensive zone, #91 could be a valuable addition to the Bruins.

You were dubious from the beginning, calling Zadorov a third pairing D prone to taking repeated bone-headed penalties.

As I recall you didn't like the deal at all (money or term).

I believe matters can and will work themselves out. Nikita is hardly the only offender relative to Boston's dismal early season play.

The Bruins are too good to play this badly for long. With the proper coaching. But that's a post for another thread.

In the event, you were largely correct about what to expect from Zadorov.

I doff my chapeau in respectful acknowledgment,

M.
 

Dr Hook

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I don't know how to do the thing where you highlight an avatar name to alert a board member that you've referenced them in a post.

If anyone does, please perform this magic on my behalf.

Lonnie,

Prior to the season, I was excited about the acquisition of Nikita Zadorov.

I thought and still believe that with his imposing size & intimidating physicality, as well as a reported ability to retrieve and transition pucks in the defensive zone, #91 could be a valuable addition to the Bruins.

You were dubious from the beginning, calling Zadorov a third pairing D prone to taking repeated bone-headed penalties.

As I recall you didn't like the deal at all (money or term).

I believe matters can and will work themselves out. Nikita is hardly the only offender relative to Boston's dismal early season play.

The Bruins are too good to play this badly for long. With the proper coaching. But that's a post for another thread.

In the event, you were largely correct about what to expect from Zadorov.

I doff my chapeau in respectful acknowledgment,

M.
you use the @ symbol, as in @GordonHowe
 

JCRO

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Well at least now hes at less than a 2 min minor per game pace 🤷‍♂️
 

Ozzy Osbourne

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I thought he started the game well last night but yeah, seemed that Reaves settled him down a bit for sure. Basically every situation where the Bruins would have reason to run around, Reaves came out on the ice and the game got quiet. People will tell you that didn't happen, though.

Reaves sucks ass, but to say he's not an intimidation factor is flat out wrong.
Every single Bruin messed their trousers every time he was out there. This is why I laugh when people say a legit heavyweight is not a deterrent.
 
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Colt.45Orr

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Mar 23, 2003
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The guy has been in the league 10yrs. He's playing about as good as he always has. That's why he's on his 6th team. He is what he is.....a larger version of Radko Gudas, with a lower hockey IQ.

Its people's expectations, when we signed him, that were out of whack.
Gudas was previously 2nd overall in goals by a Dman (behind only Makar)????

Good to known, kid.

Zadorov, Kastelic and Koepke are 3 of the few Bruins deserving their current cap %.

Shockingly, another one on this list is Korpi.
 
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BruinDust

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Aug 2, 2005
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Gudas was previously 2nd overall in goals by a Dman (behind only Makar)????

Good to known, kid.

Zadorov, Kastelic and Koepke are 3 of the few Bruins deserving their current cap %.

Shockingly, another one on this list is Korpi.

Radko Gudas 2nd overall in goals by a D-man?

Are you really comparing Zadorov (and his cap hit) to a couple guys making basically league minimum?

Brutal take, but it figures.
 

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