Nikita Zadorov
Zadorov with the Calgary Flames in 2023
Born (1995-04-16) 16 April 1995
Moscow, Russia
Height 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Weight 235 lb (107 kg; 16 st 11 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams
Vancouver Canucks
Buffalo Sabres
Colorado Avalanche
Chicago Blackhawks
Calgary Flames
National team  Russia
NHL Draft 16th overall, 2013
Buffalo Sabres
Playing career 2012present

Nikita Sergeyevich Zadorov (Russian: Никита Сергеевич Задоров; born 16 April 1995) is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was originally drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the first round, 16th overall, in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

Junior

Zadorov played in the 2008 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the HC CSKA Moscow youth team.[1] He played in the top minor hockey level with his hometown team in Moscow, Krasnaya Armiya, in the 2011–12 season. Showing unique agility and skating prowess for a formidable frame, Zadorov scored 6 points in 42 games. He was selected by affiliate Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) club CSKA Moscow in the first round, fourth overall, of the 2012 KHL Junior Draft.[2] However, with an impressive performance with the junior national U17 team in Windsor, Ontario, and stating his intention to pursue a career in North America in order to be selected in the NHL draft, London Knights general manager Mark Hunter traded up with the Peterborough Petes in the 2012 CHL Import Draft to select Zadorov ninth overall.[3]

After agreeing to a contract with the Knights, Zadorov began his major junior career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in the 2012–13 season. Joining fellow Russian Vladislav Namestnikov and after adapting to the differing style and dimensions of the North American game, Zadorov assumed a top pairing role and led All-Rookie defencemen in plus–minus with +33, and finishing second in scoring with 6 goals and 25 points in 63 games.[4] Earning a roster spot in the 2013 CHL Top Prospects Game, Zadorov helped the Knights claim the OHL championship to advance to the Memorial Cup.[3] As he was selected to the OHL First-All Rookie Team, he scored the game-winner in the opening game against the Western Hockey League's Saskatoon Blades before losing in the semi-finals. Zadorov's impressive season was noted as he was selected with the Buffalo Sabres's second first-round pick, 16th overall, in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Buffalo Sabres

Zadorov with the Buffalo Sabres in 2013.

Zadorov attended his first rookie and NHL training camp and after his third pre-season contest he was signed by the Sabres to a three-year, entry-level contract on 26 September 2013.[5] Under the assessment of head coach Ron Rolston, he made the Sabres' opening night roster to begin the 2013–14 season.[6] Zadorov sat out the first ten games before he made his NHL debut in a 4–2 defeat to the Colorado Avalanche on 19 October.[7] In just his second game, against the Boston Bruins on 23 October, Zadorov scored on his first shot in the NHL, against Chad Johnson.[8] In so doing, he became the youngest Sabres defenceman in franchise history to achieve the feat.[9]

With the Sabres cleaning out the front office and coaching staff, and with an imperative to rely less on the youth from new head coach Ted Nolan, on 19 November, Zadorov was returned to junior with the London Knights after seven NHL games played.[10] He played out the remainder of the season with the Knights, assuming a top-pairing role in surpassing his rookie season totals in points (30) in half the number of games (36), earning a selection to the OHL Second All-Star Team.[11]

Despite a benching during the rookie pre-season tournament in Traverse City, Michigan, Zadorov rebounded to have a strong training camp to make the Sabres' opening-night roster in the 2014–15 season as a permanent addition to the blueline.[12][13] He initially only saw limited playing time as a rotational option to the third-pairing under Ted Nolan and was primarily on the team for practice only (he was not yet eligible for the American Hockey League and a tie-up involving Zadorov's KHL rights prevented him from being returned to juniors).[14] Zadorov's playing time soon increased in the season as the team's coaching staff decided to keep Zadorov regardless of his junior situation.[15][16] In developing a shut-down role through his physicality, Zadorov showed offensive glimpses, collecting his first multi-point game in scoring an overtime marker in a 4–3 victory over the Florida Panthers on 13 December 2014.[17] Zadorov also became the youngest Sabres defenceman in history to score an overtime winner.[18] Zadorov showed his youth by suffering two team suspensions over the course of his rookie campaign, after returning late from holiday over the All-Star break and later oversleeping through a team practice.[19] Despite a lowly year for the Sabres, Zadorov led the blueline in plus–minus and finished with 3 goals, 12 assists in 60 games.[20]

Colorado Avalanche

At the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Zadorov was traded as a central piece by the Sabres in a package that also included Mikhail Grigorenko, J. T. Compher and the 31st pick in the draft to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Ryan O'Reilly and Jamie McGinn on 26 June 2015.[21] Upon learning about the trade, Zadorov said he was happy since he "knew about this organization...it’s always nice to play for a GM who’s actually been here and knows what it’s like for the players when you’re playing and working hard."[22] He began the season with the team but was reassigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, in order to improve his game. When speaking of the decision, General Manager Joe Sakic said "for a young man in that position, he needs to play a ton and work on his confidence. He’ll go down and play as much as he can and keep learning that way. The only way you can get better is by playing a lot at a young man’s age."[23] At the time of his reassignment, he had recorded two assists in 11 games and been a healthy scratch for four consecutive games.[24] Zadorov remained in the AHL until he earned his first recall on 13 January alongside Chris Bigras after Nate Guenin was placed on waivers.[25] His stay in the NHL was short-lived, however, as he was reassigned to the Rampage on 23 January after Erik Johnson was activated from injured reserve.[26]

The following year, Zadorov made the Avalanche's lineup out of training camp and remained on their roster for the entirety of the 2016–17 season. In February 2017, Zadorov collided with forward Mikko Rantanen during practice and suffered a season-ending fractured ankle injury. At the time of the incident, he had recorded 10 assists and no goals in 56 games.[27] Prior to the start of the 2017–18 season, the Avalanche signed him to a two-year contract extension to remain with the team.[28] He was also medically cleared to play but was late returning for the Avalanche's 2017 training camp due to Visa issues.[29] Entering his third season with the team, Zadorov broke one franchise record and set his own new career-high totals in goals, assists, and points. On 22 March, Zadorov surpassed the previous Avalanche record for most hits in a single game with 15, which was also the third-most hits by an NHL player since 1998–99. By the conclusion of the season, Zadorov led the league with 278 hits and recorded a career-best seven goals, 13 assists, and 20 points.[30]

Zadorov with the Avalanche in 2019.

On the heels of his most successful season, Zadorov underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason and was expected to miss participating in the Avalanche's 2018 training camp.[31] In spite of this, Zadorov participated in the Avalanche's training camp wearing a non-contact jersey before being cleared as a full participant in practice on 20 September.[32] He ended his fourth year campaign playing in 70 regular-season games and recording seven goals, seven assists, and accumulating 75 penalty minutes. As a result, the Avalanche re-signed Zadorov, who was expected to become a restricted free agent, to a one-year, $3.2 million contract.[33]

With his newest contract signed, Zadorov returned to the Avalanche for their 2019 training camp, although he left on the third day due to an injury.[34] He was listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury before fully returning to team practice on 24 September, with fellow injured players Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Erik Johnson.[35] During the shortened 2019–20 season, Zadorov suffered a facial fracture as a result of taking a puck to the face during a game against the Nashville Predators.[36] He returned to the Avalanche's lineup three games later after recovering from surgery to heal his broken jaw.[37] As the Avalanche qualified for the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, they faced off against the Arizona Coyotes in the First Round. They beat the Coyotes in five games and Zadorov recorded his first playoff goal in the 7–1 Game 5 win.[38] During their Second Round contests against the Dallas Stars, Zadorov passed Matt Duchene for 74th place on the franchise playoff points list.[39] In the second-round series against the Dallas Stars, despite injuring his arm, Zadorov was able to play through pain, and following the Game 7 defeat to the Stars opted to undergo surgery. He finished the playoffs with 3 goals and 5 points through 15 games. On 8 October 2020, Zadorov as a restricted free agent was tendered a qualifying offer by the Avalanche.[40]

Chicago Blackhawks

On 10 October 2020, Zadorov's five-year tenure with the Avalanche ended as he was dealt alongside Anton Lindholm to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Brandon Saad and Dennis Gilbert. Prior to the trade, he had accepted his one-year, $3.2 million qualifying offer for the 2020–21 season.[41] In his lone season with the Blackhawks, Zadorov appeared in 55 out of 56 regular season games, registering 1 goal and 8 points from the blueline and was unable to help Chicago return to the playoffs.

Calgary Flames

Zadorov as a member of the Calgary Flames with Eeli Tolvanen of the Seattle Kraken in 2023.

On 28 July 2021, Zadorov – an impending unrestricted free agent – had his negotiation rights traded to the Calgary Flames in exchange for a 2022 third-round pick.[42] On 20 August, he agreed to a one-year, $3.75 million contract, avoiding arbitration.[43] On 12 April 2023, Zadorov recorded his first career NHL hat-trick in a 3–1 win over the San Jose Sharks.[44]

On 10 November 2023, following a loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, it was reported that Zadorov had requested a trade.[45][46]

Vancouver Canucks

Zadorov's trade request was granted on 30 November 2023, when he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round pick and a 2026 third-round pick.[47]

International play

Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing  Russia
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place2019 Slovakia
World Junior Championships
Bronze medal – third place2014 Malmö

Following a second-round exit with the Avalanche in the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs, on 11 May 2019, Zadorov was a late inclusion on the Russian squad to make his senior international debut at the 2019 IIHF World Championships held in Bratislava, Slovakia.[48]

Personal life

Zadorov married his wife in 2015.[49] They have two daughters, who were born in 2017 and 2020.[50] In September 2023, Zadorov spoke with Russian journalist Yury Dud about politics, including the Russo-Ukrainian War, which he opposes. Zadorov said that Russian NHL players had attempted to form a joint statement about the war, but failed to reach any agreement.[51][52] Speaking to Canadian media, Zadorov said, "I probably can't go back [to Russia] anytime soon."[53]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GPGAPtsPIM GPGAPtsPIM
2011–12 Krasnaya Armiya MHL 4124663 80008
2012–13 London Knights OHL 636192554 2024636
2013–14 Buffalo Sabres NHL 71014
2013–14 London Knights OHL 3611193043 945912
2014–15 Buffalo Sabres NHL 603121551
2015–16 Colorado Avalanche NHL 2202212
2015–16 San Antonio Rampage AHL 5210192990
2016–17 Colorado Avalanche NHL 560101073
2017–18 Colorado Avalanche NHL 7771320103 612332
2018–19 Colorado Avalanche NHL 70771475 1200024
2019–20 Colorado Avalanche NHL 64491365 1532518
2020–21 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 5517836
2021–22 Calgary Flames NHL 744182277 1203324
2022–23 Calgary Flames NHL 821472180
2023–24 Calgary Flames NHL 2115623
NHL totals 5884290132599 45471198

International

Year Team Event Result GPGAPtsPIM
2012 Russia U17 1st place, gold medalist(s) 50338
2012 Russia IH18 5th 40330
2012 Russia U18 5th 62024
2014 Russia WJC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 74156
2019 Russia WC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 901114
2021 ROC WC 5th 80332
Junior totals 22671318
Senior totals 1704416

Awards and honours

Award Year Ref
OHL
First All-Rookie Team 2013 [54]
CHL Top Prospects Game 2013
Second All-Star Team 2014 [11]
International
WJC All-Star Team 2014

References

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  2. "KHL Entry Draft 2012". Kontinental Hockey League. 2 August 2012. Archived from the original on 30 May 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Size, mobility give Zadorov "Unlimited Potential"". National Hockey League. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  4. "Nikita Zadorov prospect profile". Buffalo Sabres. 4 May 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
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  6. "Sabres' Nikita Zadorov a Zdeno Chara in the making". Rantsports.com. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
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  53. 'I probably can't go back anytime soon': Zadorov discusses speaking out against Russia, 22 September 2023, retrieved 22 September 2023
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