8:38 p.m.: Three teams have documented interest in Zadorov’s services, per TSN’s Darren Dreger: the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks and New Jersey Devils. All three teams would need to ship out a contract with a similar cap hit to Zadorov’s $3.75MM to make a deal work.
7:35 a.m.: ESPN’s Kevin Weekes is reporting that Calgary Flames defenseman Nikita Zadorov has requested a trade to another team. TSN Insider Pierre LeBrun also tweeted about the situation, adding that Zadorov’s agent Dan Milstein is hoping for a quick resolution. The news of the request came out after the Flames 5-4 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs last night, a game in which Zadorov had a goal and a huge hit in the third period.
Calgary has had a disastrous start to the season at 4-7-2 and is feeling like a team that will see a lot of changes in the next 12 months. Zadorov is a pending unrestricted free agent, as are his teammates Noah Hanifin, Elias Lindholm, Chris Tanev, and Oliver Kylington.
For his part, Zadorov has had a good start to the season with a goal and four assists in 12 games. The 6-foot-6 rearguard has been able to help the Flames drive play while averaging two hits a game. The 28-year-old is averaging over 18 minutes of ice time a game this year which is right in line with his career average. Any team that acquires the native of Moscow, Russia would be getting a big hulking defenseman who can provide physicality, block shots, kill penalties and chip in a bit offensively.
On the topic of acquiring teams, NHL Insider Chris Johnston is reporting that Zadorov would welcome a trade to Toronto. The Maple Leafs could certainly use the skillset that Zadorov would bring, however, he is in the final year of a two-year $7.5MM contract that carries a cap hit of $3.75MM. This would require the Flames to retain half of Zadorov’s cap hit and for Toronto to find a way to maneuver other money off their books. In fact, given that over half of the NHL is within a million dollars of the salary cap ceiling, the Flames will likely have to take some salary back to facilitate a move.
The Flames will be engaging with as many teams as possible in the coming days, so it’s hard to speculate where Zadorov could end up. Calgary could be in for a lot of trade talks in the coming weeks with Zadorov being the first domino to fall for the Flames.
Let’s work this trade out Toronto he adds something they are sorely lacking
Buffalo-
If you need cap space 2 1sts back to back with no protections can work for us.
Flames roster:
ight imma head out
ight imma head out
ight imma head out
To Colorado with Girard going back to Flames…Could work…
What are the flames adding?
@Bucky76 – Don’t be a tease, here! :) I wouldn’t want to do that to Ryan Huska, though.
@admiral hopppaaa – A “Thank You!” and a hearty handshake! :)
Then possible trade another dman to another team …anything possible..
@Bucky76 — NHL Cap Land says few things possible, especially with non-marquee players, though.
Zadorov to the Leafs for McCabe and a 3rd? Unless the Flames are on McCabe’s no trade list.
Do you have another LTIR contract coming in too???? The trade has to be salary in and salary out, and pretty even at that!
the leads aren’t moving McCabe for zadorov. McCabe also brings some grit they need.
its Klingberg going back plus either a pick or a player. Klingberg could be flipped at the deadline on an expiring deal and the prospect (Robertson perhaps) or a pick would obviously be the value.
Calgary only paid a 3rd round pick for him, so they will benefit by taking back an expiring contract, a B prospect & a 2nd… possible landing spots LA, Edm, Tor & Car…
Klingberg, Robertson and a 4th from Toronto
Calgary doesn’t have the cap space to add Klingberg & Robertson. They don’t have the cap space to add Klingberg by himself. The Flames have no cap space & Klingberg’s cap hit is bigger than Zadorov’s.
Might want to keep him around, Flames might be going on a bit of a run up the standings. If not, hold him until the deadline, when teams overpay.
Flames take 1/3rd of his salary, get deAngelo, Heimosalmi & Carolina’s 2nd (Canes already have Flyers 2nd)
they hold out for the flyers pick
Edmonton could sure use him. Something has to change here
Edmonton could use an NHL goaltender, and management that are cognitively able to solve basic math.
Haha the Goalie is obvious though Skinner looked okay in his last outing it was poor defence that left him basically with impossible saves. Needless to say they need a goalie ready now and yes someone who says hey you want to stay here? Here’s 9 million
“The most likely situation is that this is simply a power play by Milstein. The organization put extension talks on hold last week and Zadorov distances himself from a career season with each passing day. Pierre LeBrun confirms that Milstein wants a quick resolution to the trade demand.
Milstein has been working hard at it. He’s informed beat reporters from Vancouver, Toronto and New Jersey that he would welcome a trade to their city. He also tweeted this.”
Copied from Trevor Neufeld,s Flames blog
Ask the Blackhawks to eat the contract shortage to make the trade for a 1st round pick.
Reckon the devils interest is bogus. How can this even happen? Mike McLeod? Nate Bastian? Brendan Smith? Not sure why CGY wants these pieces and even then has to retain 50%. So losing one of those players + what, a 1st maybe? Don’t see it as possible.
Calgary isn’t retaining half of Zadorov’s salary & taking a contract back. They don’t have the cap space to do that. They are only cap compliant because of LTIR.
OK, guys, how bad is it when we’ve accumulated 25 comments about Pia Zadorov requesting a trade? Eventually, that light will turn green, so we can hit the All-You-Can-Eat Prime Rib Buffet…
Yeah, I was just looking at this in amazement. I’d expect this level of traffic for Roman Josi demanding a trade, not for Pia. (smirks)
Nothing is going to happen until the deadline. At this point, no team is desperate enough to pay a deadline price. Even Edmonton’s first move will be to replace the coach and see what happens before trading, and if they do, it will be for a goalie.