Player Discussion Nikita Zadorov

[Grantham]

I would pass on Hronek at over 7.5 and I wouldn’t sign Zadorov at all. He’s not signing anything reasonable. Lot of miles.

I‘m putting a lot of stock into if Hronek sits this week. If he does, he’s not hitting 50 points. And being content with that means he’s okay shaving a few hundred k off his next deal.

And if he plays 25 minutes in each game, squeezing every penny means he’s not in Vancouver next year.

I already have a guess that VAN’s blueline has Tanev, Dillon, and Juulsen taking Myers, Zadorov, and Cole’s spots next year.

I’m not concerned with this management’s ability to identify the right fits and get them signed at fair deals

I agree with your overall take.

I do think though that they will likely bring back Myers and on a cheaper deal. I was one of his biggest critics last year, but he's been very steady and solid this year. I don't know why our fans keep going after him. He's been more physical, and has handled the puck a lot better in transition too. I could do without the stupid penalties, but noone is perfect.

I also would love if we could get Dillon. A friend of mine has met him several times for youth hockey stuff, and says he is complete class and great person.

I wouldn't even be opposed to bringing Cole back with regular maintenance off games. I think he's been underrated addition on our blueline.

 

[Peen]

I agree with your overall take.

I do think though that they will likely bring back Myers and on a cheaper deal. I was one of his biggest critics last year, but he's been very steady and solid this year. I don't know why our fans keep going after him. He's been more physical, and has handled the puck a lot better in transition too. I could do without the stupid penalties, but noone is perfect.

I also would love if we could get Dillon. A friend of mine has met him several times for youth hockey stuff, and says he is complete class and great person.

I wouldn't even be opposed to bringing Cole back with regular maintenance off games. I think he's been underrated addition on our blueline.

I do think Myers has played well this year, but I don’t think I’d even do a 3x2 or similar. I think Juulsen is good enough to play 14-15 minutes until February and then if they want to upgrade, they can then.

I think from a cap perspective, you can and should only have one multimillion bottom pair D. At least up until the TDL. Use that cap space in more important areas before then

 

[VanJack]

Obviously with only three d-man on guarantied contracts for next season--Hughes-Juulsen-Soucy, and an RFA in Hronek, the Canucks simply don't have the cap room to fill that many holes.

So unless you're absolutely convinced you can do better than Zadorov on the open market, then he has to be a priority. I haven't really glanced around the league, but doesn't strike me as a strong off-season for UFA blueliners.

So unless they're convinced that one of the young d-men in Abbotsford can step up and play (doubtful), then bringing back Zadorov and maybe even Myers might the only option.

 

[Nucker101]

One thing I’ll say is I like the “game within the game” Big Z plays.

Ian Cole levelled Josh Doan a few games ago, he then got challenged by O’Brien and McBain during his following shifts. Zadorov tags them both with big hits after, they settle down right after that.

Today, Nino slashes at Soucy in a meaningless game. Next shift for Nino he gets levelled by Zadorov.

 

[David71]

zadorov is the x factor for the playoffs with his hits. it can set the tone. nobody would be touching hughes/petey

 

[HockeyWooot]

zadorov is the x factor for the playoffs with his hits. it can set the tone. nobody would be touching hughes/petey

Agreed. Would have to think long and hard about signing him to what he’s asking for, but he definitely is an x factor that changes the outlook for the team.

 

[David71]

Agreed. Would have to think long and hard about signing him to what he’s asking for, but he definitely is an x factor that changes the outlook for the team.

i think the fans and rogers arena will be loud come sunday when he lowers the BOOM on a predator.

 

[Izzy Goodenough]

Whatever they do, they should not resign Zadorov.

He is too much man to stay in Van.

Sign a cupcake instead and get back to Canucks' Old Time Hockey.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I think he's going to get paid a lot more than some of the prognostications here. Like 5M+, maybe upward of 6 or 7 or more...long term.
This is a league where Gudbranson has been signed for 4 x 4 twice, to be a fake version of what Zaddy actually is. True,. handsomer and Canadian, and both those gm's are unemployed now, but still seems likely to me.

 

[Bobby9]

If he establishes himself as a difference maker in the playoffs the management group will sign him to what he wants.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

If he establishes himself as a difference maker in the playoffs the management group will sign him to what he wants.

There's still a salary cap. I mean what if we go on a run and Zadorov and Hronek both play fantastic? Hard choices will have to be made. Thank god, Benning is gone.

 

[Bobby9]

There's still a salary cap. I mean what if we go on a run and Zadorov and Hronek both play fantastic? Hard choices will have to be made. Thank god, Benning is gone.

My personal suspicion based on nothing is: based on how Foote and Tocchet played as players they take a shining to players like Z

 

[M2Beezy]

One thing I’ll say is I like the “game within the game” Big Z plays.

Ian Cole levelled Josh Doan a few games ago, he then got challenged by O’Brien and McBain during his following shifts. Zadorov tags them both with big hits after, they settle down right after that.

Today, Nino slashes at Soucy in a meaningless game. Next shift for Nino he gets levelled by Zadorov.

That last game against the jets was pretty soft from both sides, understandably. Except for Zadorov, in the third he was going after guys... My way too deep read into it is hes saying to the other team 'bring it'... And they usually dont. Could be a physical difference maker in a series that the other fanbase hates passionately by the end of the series. Hoping is true

 

[Izzy Goodenough]

Definitely sign Cole and Myers over this 29 year old bum.

What were people thinking.

 

[VanJack]

zadorov is the x factor for the playoffs with his hits. it can set the tone. nobody would be touching hughes/petey

Zadorov could be the 'x-factor' in this series with the Preds. You know they're going to come out and try to slow the Canucks down by punishing them along the walls. But they won't try that with Zadorov.

 

[David71]

Zadorov could be the 'x-factor' in this series with the Preds. You know they're going to come out and try to slow the Canucks down by punishing them along the walls. But they won't try that with Zadorov.

zadorov will just squish forsberg like a bug. and nyqvist too.

 

[F A N]

I think he's going to get paid a lot more than some of the prognostications here. Like 5M+, maybe upward of 6 or 7 or more...long term.
This is a league where Gudbranson has been signed for 4 x 4 twice, to be a fake version of what Zaddy actually is. True,. handsomer and Canadian, and both those gm's are unemployed now, but still seems likely to me.

It's hard to say. Keep in mind that Zadorov was a UFA in Summer 2022 (same year as Gudbranson) and went back to Calgary on his current deal. Gudbranson on the same team was a RHD, averaged more minutes and played a key PK role while Big Z didn't.

I like Z, but again he still hasn't been a guy who has been deployed as a top 4 Dman and a top PKer.

 

[Izzy Goodenough]

Zadorov has no value to the Club compared to the Woodchopper Bonanza of Suter, and Mikheyev @6M+

That is Uber value and well worth losing a crumby inconsequential D-Man for.

 

[Bobby9]

He seems pumped up.

 

[WTG]

zadorov is the x factor for the playoffs with his hits. it can set the tone. nobody would be touching hughes/petey

Spot on. Game 1 pretty much confirmed this.

They need to find a way to get both Zadorov and Joshua signed. It'll cost them an arm and a leg to move Michekeyev but maybe you can find a suiter in Chicago or SJS (if they get Celebrini and they just need bodies)

 

[Bertuzzzi44]

Big Z was a monster, crunch machine, solid hits.

 

[vadim sharifijanov]

there was one scrum in front of demko right before the suter goal where zaddy just casually smushed forsberg into the blue paint with one hand like he was putting out a cigarette

my pie in the sky scenario is locking him up at $4 mill AAV by giving him crazy term. six years could maybe get it done? love him as an overqualified #5 but don’t love potentially paying him #3 dollars, which he can probably get from multiple teams.

 

[WTG]

there was one scrum in front of demko right before the suter goal where zaddy just casually smushed forsberg into the blue paint with one hand like he was putting out a cigarette

my pie in the sky scenario is locking him up at $4 mill AAV by giving him crazy term. six years could maybe get it done? love him as an overqualified #5 but don’t love potentially paying him #3 dollars, which he can probably get from multiple teams.

He makes mistakes, but I don't think he's that far off from being a #3 in the first place. I'd feel comfortable giving him 4 mils easily.

 

[vadim sharifijanov]

He makes mistakes, but I don't think he's that far off from being a #3 in the first place. I'd feel comfortable giving him 4 mils easily.

$4 mill absolutely

$5m or more, which i think is on the table for him from multiple suitors, i’d be veeeeeery reluctant

 

[Petey O]

$4 mill absolutely

$5m or more, which i think is on the table for him from multiple suitors, i’d be veeeeeery reluctant

He's one of the guys it's going to hurt to lose, for sure, but the Canucks can't be paying him 4m+ without moving a bunch of deck chairs.

If you can somehow move Mikheyev, it becomes a possibility.