The Calgary Flames have traded defenseman Nikita Zadorov to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a 2024 NHL Draft fifth-round pick and a 2026 NHL Draft third-round pick.
Zadorov’s move to Vancouver comes in response to a formal trade request submitted on November 11th, following a shootout loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Zadorov has appeared in 21 games with the Flames this season, recording six points, 23 penalty minutes, and a -6. He was in his third season with the club after Calgary acquired him through a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks ahead of the 2021-22 season.
Calgary signed Zadorov to two contracts, including a two-year, $7.5MM contract signed in 2022 that Zadorov is in the final year of. The 28-year-old defenseman carries a $3.75MM cap hit through the remainder of the season and is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st.
Vancouver will become the fifth team that Zadorov has played for throughout his 11-year career. He was originally drafted 16th overall in the 2013 NHL Draft, making his NHL debut at the end of the 2013-14 season. The defender played his rookie season in 2014-15, notching 15 points, 51 penalty minutes, and a -10 in 60 games. The Sabres traded Zadorov to the Colorado Avalanche in 2015 alongside J.T. Compher and Mikhail Grigorenko, in the trade that brought Ryan O’Reilly to Buffalo.
The deal to Vancouver is the fifth trade that Zadorov has been a part of, including the trading of the draft pick used to select the defenseman – which was swapped between the Minnesota Wild and Buffalo in the deal that sent Jason Pominville to Minnesota. Zadorov has not joined a new team by any other means other than a trade.
Let the Calgary firesale begin!
definitely a matter of not wanting to take on money as that seems like a light return for a guy who could play important playoff minutes.
imagine a team like Toronto couldn’t get Calgary to take on a contract without giving up a 1st.
For Vancouver this deal equates to Zadorov for Beauvilier + 3rd. The Flames received the same 5th Van just got for Beauvilier.
Santa can we get a goalie for Christmas please, Hurricane.
Seems like a sweet deal for the Cannucks.
you spelled Canucks wrong
Zadorov is a big physical player of course and a type of player Tocchet likes but it seems the higher the stakes the more Zadorov disappoints.
This gives me hope for a Tanev to Toronto trade. Would be sooooooo good to finally give Mo that top pairing D partner to play with
Passed around like a blunt. Minnesota, Buffalo, Colorado, Chicago, Calgary.
Does tocchet actually play four left d’s instead of juulsen ? When Sourcy returns.
I am glad the Flames traded Zadorov it will hopefully give younger guys more of a chance to play the and the Flames didn’t have a 5th round pick in next year’s Draft prior to this trade so trading Zadorov is not a bad thing it is a good thing although I would have preferred him to get traded to a different team
I think people expecting a first for Zadorov were out to lunch. At his absolute best, he’s a low end #4, but the best place for him is bottom pairing.
Sweet Jason Pomminville reference!