By: Tim Burke | Follow me on Twitter / X @timsports3
On July 1st, the Boston Bruins made an aggressive move to bolster their defensive core by signing Nikita Zadorov to a six-year, $30-million contract.
The 29-year-old defenseman has a history of being an impact player in the National Hockey League. He is a big, mobile defender who delivers big hits, kills penalties, and can score goals. He also makes his fair share of mistakes. Sometimes, Zadorov makes costly turnovers, and he certainly takes a ton of penalties.
Still, it is impossible to deny that Zadorov has all the intangibles to be a great defenseman in the National Hockey League, but watching him play has been described as a roller coaster. His first 16 games in Boston can be described that way, and in a tough market like Boston, there is little patience for mistakes.
“The circus music does not detach itself from Nikita Zadorov.” Pete Blackburn stated during an appearance on the Barnburner podcast earlier this week. That statement has proven to be accurate.
During his media availability on Thursday, Boston Bruins Head Coach Jim Montgomery was asked by the Boston Globe if Zadorov is pressing to make an impact upon his arrival in Boston.
“ I don’t see him pressing. I think overall I think he is finding his way in our systems, and I think at times he looks like he’s understanding exactly what we’re trying to accomplish, and at times he looks like he’s not. But I wish it was just him. Then it would be easier to solve.” Coach Jim Montgomery told reporters on Thursday.
Cue the circus music. Nikita Zadorov’s arrival in Boston sparked high expectations, which do not mix well with a lack of patience for mistakes. There has been criticism of his discipline on the ice. He has taken 12 minor penalties in his first 16 games this season, the most in the National Hockey League.
Montgomery’s comments also gained the attention of the media. A clip from broadcaster and former hockey executive Pierre McGuire on the Skate Pod describing Zadorov as not always receptive to coaching has resurfaced.
One thing is for certain: Zadorov does not have any difficulty with tough coaching. “Last season was different. It was Darryl. Now, there’s no Darryl, so there’s no excuses. You know what I mean? You guys don’t like hard coaches? You don’t like soft coaches? You don’t like good coaches? Fair. It’s a new-day league. You come up here, you play hard, and you leave everything on the ice. I think that’s how simple it is.” Zadorov stated in an infamous interview last season when describing the struggles of the Calgary Flames.
Still, with the turnovers, high volume of penalties, and time taken to adjust to Boston’s systems, it is easy to point out that Nikita Zadorov may not be the best fit for the Bruins’ top defensive pairing.
“He shouldn’t be a top pairing guy. They may have overpaid him, but you can’t force him to be that for you.” Pete Blackburn stated on the Barnburner podcast. The thing is, Nikita Zadorov is not in Boston to be the Bruins’ top left-shot defenseman. He is here to be Nikita Zadorov.
What attracted the 6 foot 6 defender to the Bruins was that he was a big and mean defenseman, something the Bruins needed.
In last season’s playoff series against the Florida Panthers, Boston’s number one defenseman, Charlie McAvoy, struggled against the aggressiveness and physicality of the Panthers’ forecheck. With Zadorov on the Bruins’ top pairing alongside Charlie McAvoy, that won’t happen again.
The Zadorov- McAvoy pairing has also been very good for the Bruins this season. They have an expected goal percentage of 54.2%, which is second among Bruins defensive pairings behind Lindholm and Carlo. The Zadorov-McAvoy pairing also has the second-best expected goals against per 60 minutes with 2. Despite the circus noise, nothing suggests that Nikita Zadorov should not be playing alongside Charlie McAvoy on the top pairing.
Zadorov also is not truly the Boston top left-shot defenseman. Hampus Lindholm averages the most ice time for a Boston left-handed shot defenseman at 21:39. Zadorov averages 18:55 minutes a game, which is third among Bruins defensemen. In reality, Zadorov is not playing top pairing minutes.
He allows the Bruins to separate their top two defensemen and shoulder the load regarding physicality for the Bruins’ blue line. He is a critical member of Boston’s top four.
Zadorov is not a perfect player. But he has characteristics and qualities the Bruins desperately need. The Russian defenseman’s 49 hits are the second most on the Bruins, behind fellow newcomer Mark Kastelic.
He is big, tough, mean, and fun to watch. The penalties are an issue, but that’s a part of his game. Zadorov spent a whopping 102 minutes in the penalty box in only 54 games for the Vancouver Canucks last season. It makes him one of the most polarizing and entertaining players in the National Hockey League.
But in time, the good will outweigh the bad, and Nikita Zadorov will win over Bruins fans with his psychical style of play, which Boston fans have always loved.
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