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By: Andrew Bluestein | Follow Me On Twitter / X @adbblue
Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney made a couple of notable signings in free agency, inking center Elias Lindholm and defenseman Nikita Zadorov to long-term contracts. The Zadorov signing was for six years and $30 million, proving that Sweeney is emphasizing something particular.
That would be addressing the physical size of the Boston Blue Line. Zadorov is listed at 6’6 and 248 lbs and plays a very physical style of hockey. Sweeney clearly targeted the new Bruins blue liner for those attributes, and the back is now bolstered with size.
Every defenseman projected to make the opening night roster is listed at over 6’0 and 190 lbs. Brandon Carlo is 6’5, Charlie McAvoy is 6,1, Hampus Lindholm is 6’4, Andrew Peeke is 6’3, Mason Lohrei is 6’5, and Parker Wotherspoon is 6’1. This is clearly something the Bruins front office has made a priority as they’ve shied away from smaller defensemen, which wasn’t the case in the past.
Perhaps this is taking a page out of the books of other teams that have recently made long playoff runs. The last several Stanley Cup-winning teams have had big and heavy blue lines, resulting in better durability and sustainability. Adding Zadorov gives the Black and Gold’s defensive core another element of physicality. He frequently throws his body around and isn’t afraid to put himself in harm’s way. He’s undoubtedly a notable force on the ice.
It also makes their back end a little more intimidating, and opponents will have that in the back of their heads. McAvoy is already one of the most physical defensemen in the league, and acquiring Peeke at last season’s trade deadline has been a part of that as well. The other thing about all these big defensemen is that they can all move the puck effectively and contribute to the team’s offensive production.
But most importantly, playing a sound defensive game is an overwhelming strength in their individual games. That translates well to playing strong playoff hockey. Carlo is coming off a career season, Lohrei rapidly improved as a rookie, Lindholm and McAvoy are in their primes, and Peeke and Wotherspoon have played their roles efficiently. Sweeney landing Zadorov now makes the Bruins one of the biggest and best backends in hockey on paper.
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