Bruins
Nikita Zadorov has worn six different jerseys since joining the NHL in 2013. Four of those appearances got here consequently of a transfer.
This summer was certainly one of the few moments in his profession where Zadorov had complete autonomy over where he desired to proceed his profession, and his value soared after he orchestrated a bombastic playoff run with the Vancouver Canucks in April and May.
A return to Vancouver was a horny option for Zadorov, as he had settled into his latest surroundings so quickly after a transfer from Calgary in late November.
But when Boston called, Zadorov couldn't resist. Zadorov was guaranteed a giant raise, regardless of which team he signed for as a free agent.
The Bruins, nonetheless, offered greater than only a six-year, $30 million contract. Speaking to reporters on Monday, the hard-hitting defenseman stressed that Boston offers him one of the best likelihood to realize his most significant goal at this stage of his profession: winning.
“For the last three years, I've just been trying to find the right player to help me win the championship,” Zadorov admitted. “So that's the main thing. The main reason I signed. Because I want to have the best chance to win the championship.”
“I'm really invested in what I do. I really put my heart and soul into what I do. I'm here for six years and I'm going to put my heart and soul into my life to be a Bruin and win the Stanley Cup here.”
It won't take long for the 6'6″ and 240-pound defenseman to endear himself to Bruins fans, as he has a tendency to cause chaos every time he jumps over the boards.
Zadorov is an attractive top partner alongside Charlie McAvoy and should add some much-needed sharpness to the Bruins' DNA, which is essential for any team looking to displace other Eastern Conference contenders like the Panthers and Rangers in the future.
Zadorov's livelihood may lie in his game-winning checks and willingness to drop the gloves, but Boston didn't just rank Zadorov as a top free agent target because of his willingness to beat opposing players by next week.
Even though Zadorov has earned a reputation as arguably the most impressive skater in today's NHL thanks to his aggressiveness and physicality, this came at a price – especially at the beginning of his career.
Penalties have long been a problem for Zadorov, but it was his ill-advised decisions in the D-zone early in his career that mostly limited him to more of a third-pairing role. But over time, he's learned to stick more to his team's defensive structure rather than trying to line up a player for a tough shot.
Knowing when to pick the right spots to make a few shots on the ice allowed Zadorov to let the rest of his game flourish. His agility and underrated transition skills made him much more than just a bull in a china shop on the ice.
“Consistency – I believe that's a very powerful thing for a defenceman,” Zadorov said of what allowed him to take another step forward during his time with the Canucks last season. “I believe it took me a while to determine some things on the ice for those who don't wish to be a high-risk player. You wish to be more consistent in preparing for a game.”
There are a lot of things that are important for a defenseman, most notably my size. I'm pretty noticeable on the ice when I'm playing poorly and I'm pretty noticeable when I'm playing well. So I'm trying to find that sweet spot in the middle.
“Joe Sakic was my GM a few years ago and he told me: [Nicklas] Lidstrom said in 10 games you have eight A games and then two B games. That's when you become a really good defender in this league, so you have to focus on that. So it took me some time to adjust to how I prepare for the game, how I prepare mentally, physically, through training and everything else.”
The 29-year-old defenseman should still have room for improvement, but his relentless approach to guarding the blue line makes him a natural fit for a competitive team like Boston.
“When I was young, sometimes I would try to hit when I didn't need to,” Zadorov explained. “Sometimes it's better to have the good stick or to prevent passes from going through and stuff like that. So this is definitely a lesson for me.”
“You have to play physical. I think it frustrates the other team, it gets your team going and it's important in tight plays because I can use it, I have size. And it definitely elevates my game when I'm sharp and physical and at my best.”
image credit : www.boston.com