POLLS     NHL     SEARCH

Bruins and Canucks reportedly set to explore a trade involving a shocking defenseman

PUBLICATION
Joshua Deeds
November 22, 2024  (9:52)
SHARE THIS STORY

After firing Jim Montgomery, the Boston Bruins, and Don Sweeney seem to be wasting no time shaking up the roster.

One of those who could be slated to be traded soon could be bruising defenseman Nikita Zadarov who had difficulty making it work in Boston.

Elliotte Friedman speculated that while there's no movement at the moment he could see Zadarov on the trading block soon on the recent 32 Thoughts Podcast:

Friedman admitted it's just something he's thought of, and not necessarily something he's reporting from a lead or inside knowledge. The Sportsnet insider published his 32 Thoughts on Thursday and referenced the potential trade:

3. Weird idea that may only make sense to me: Nikita Zadorov back to Vancouver. No idea if even possible, or if anyone would want it, but he was a good fit and the Canucks miss him.

This would be the same Canucks team who couldn't make a contract work with Zadarov and would let him walk to free agency instead.

Zadarov arrived in Vancouver after the Flames traded him there for what could be practically worthless draft picks.

Canucks get Zadorov, the Flames get a 2024 fifth-round draft pick and a 2026 third-round draft pick.

However, this season in Boston he signed a massive deal for $30 Million dollars and has been absolutely brutal.

This season he's scored only 5 points in 20 games, with a -1 and a whopping 46 PIMs.

The lack of discipline for the towering defenseman has been astounding this year.

He's playing 19:10 per game, which is just under a career high, and has landed 55 hits, blocked 19 shots, and is playing among the first unit of the Bruins' penalty kill.

While a return to Vancouver could be doable, the Canucks would have to find a way to make the salary cap work.

They are set to only have $2.3 Million of space available and would have to offload talent in order for this to go through.

Could the Bruins send Zadarov back to Vancouver in exchange for a top-six forward?

POLL

Would you trade Nikita Zadarov back to the Vancouver Canucks for a top-six forward like Conor Garland?

BRUINSINSIDER.COM
COPYRIGHT @2024 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TERMS  -  POLICIES  -  PRIVACY AND COOKIE SETTINGS