Boston Bruins punish newcomer Nikita Zadorov following his terrible play so far

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Austin Sabourin
October 25, 2024 (6:41 PM)

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The Boston Bruins have punished newcomer Nikita Zadorov by demoting him down to the third defensive pairing after his terrible start to the year for the Bruins.

The Boston Bruins have taken action regarding defenseman Nikita Zadorov's recent play by shifting him to the third defensive pairing during Friday's practice. This adjustment comes after a rough start to his first season in Boston, where he has struggled to stay out of the penalty box.

Since joining the Bruins on a six-year, $5 million contract signed over the summer, Zadorov has picked up 21 penalties in just eight games. He's been penalized in every game except the most recent one, putting the Bruins at a disadvantage.

For Friday's practice, Zadorov was paired with fellow defenseman Andrew Peeke on the third line-a notable change for the newcomer. The Bruins likely made this move in response to the number of penalties he's been taking, as it puts the team at a disadvantage by spending extended time shorthanded.

Head coach Jim Montgomery seems to be sending a message, reminding Zadorov to play with discipline and avoid unnecessary penalties.

Zadorov's demotion comes at a time when the Bruins are testing different line combinations, hoping to find the right chemistry to spark the team's momentum. As a veteran with significant experience, the Bruins signed Zadorov expecting him to bring strong defensive skills and physicality to their lineup. However, his tendency to end up in the penalty box is putting a strain on the team.

For now, Zadorov will have to prove he can play disciplined hockey, or he may find himself seeing less ice time in the future. Bruins fans hope this change serves as a wake-up call, helping Zadorov focus on supporting his team in a more controlled way.

Bruins lines for practice today:

Bruins lines at Friday practice:

Zacha-Lindholm-Pastrnak
Marchand-Coyle-Poitras
Frederic-Geekie-Brazeau
Beecher-Kastelic-Koepke
Jones-Johnson-Tufte

Lohrei-McAvoy
Lindholm-Carlo
Zadorov-Peeke
Wotherspoon

Swayman
Korpisalo