The Boston Bruins’ signing of defenseman Nikita Zadorov is regarded as one of the worst contracts in free agency.
Boston signed Zadorov to a six-year contract worth $5 million per season, for a total of $30 million. The Russian was one of the best defensemen available, but Scott Maxwell of The Daily Faceoff believes the Bruins overpaid for him.
“Zadorov is an excellent example of the two blunders that teams make during free agency, particularly on the first day. The first error this season was attempting to learn how to win from the Florida Panthers and inadvertently learning the incorrect lesson. Most teams appear to have incorrectly believed that the lesson was to be physical, when they actually won by being an outstanding defensive club with possibly the best defensive forward and defenseman in the league,” Maxwell said.
“And even when teams are hyper-focused on that lesson, they pay a high price for a player like Zadorov, when they should be looking for the next Zadorov at a much lower cost. Boston lost to Florida in the second round, thought the problem was their physicality, and chose to overpay Zadorov to fix it, which will certainly hurt them in the long term,” Maxwell noted.
The NHL analyst ranked Zadorov’s signing as one of the five worst contracts inked in free agency.
Last season, Zadorov scored 6 goals and 14 assists for 20 points in 75 games with the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks. However, in 13 playoff games with the Canucks, the 6-foot-6 defenceman scored four goals and four assists for eight points.
Bruins GM Explains Why He Signed Zadorov
Although Maxwell wasn’t a fan of the Zadorov signing, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney saw it as a significant acquisition for his team.
Sweeney told the media on July 1 that Zadorov offers much-needed swagger to the defensive core as well as the potential to play a large number of minutes.
“The presence that Z offers is valuable to us. “Playing a lot of top four minutes in the playoffs against top guys gives you some swagger,” Sweeney said. “He has definitely seen his game improve and possibly become a little more defined in what he is capable of doing.
“Early in his career, he had a lot of evenings out to try and make an effect, and he made it for both sides at times, as do all young aggressive players. Sweeney continued, “Now he understands his game and what he brings to the table.”
According to DailyFaceoff.com, Zadorov is expected to play alongside Andrew Peekee in the third pairing.
Zadorov Says He’s Always Wanted to Play For Boston
When Zadorov hit the open market on July 1, he stated that the Bruins were his preferred choice.
Zadorov and the Bruins swiftly agreed on a multi-year contract, which the Russian defenceman is thrilled with.
“In 11 years, I haven’t heard anything negative about the Bruins culture, squad, or players. It was very much a no-brainer for me when we heard out the Bruins wanted me to come play for them. It was mutual. I suppose Boston has always been at the top of my list. On July 1, Zadorov told the media that he likes the Bruins’ style and has always appreciated it.
Zadorov was selected 16th overall in the 2013 NHL draft by the Buffalo Sabres. He has appeared in 642 NHL games for the Buffalo Sabres, Colorado Avalanche, Chicago Blackhawks, Flames, and Vancouver Canucks.
