The Bruins most likely would have felt fairly good about their defensive corps with out making any strikes, however they beefed up the blue line in an enormous means initially of free company.
Not solely did the B’s reportedly lock in versatile middle Elias Lindholm, however Boston agreed to a take care of free agent defenseman Nikita Zadorov, in accordance with a number of studies. It’s a six-year, $30 million deal, in accordance with TSN’s Darren Dreger.
Zadorov provides appreciable dimension to a Bruins roster that would definitely use it. The 6-foot-6, 248-pound behemoth is coming off a season by which he cut up time with each the Flames and Canucks. He appeared in 75 video games with six objectives and 14 assists whereas logging 125 minutes.
He’s a defense-first D-man, who’s comfy logging massive minutes in his personal zone. He’s robust on the penalty kill, too. Clearly, the offensive output doesn’t soar off the web page, however Zadorov skates fairly properly for somebody his dimension and has first rate puck-moving capability.
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The Canucks acquired the previous first-round choose from Calgary for a pair draft picks in November, and he was an essential contributor to a Vancouver group that returned to the Stanley Cup playoffs. Zadorov averaged 17 minutes within the common season however was leaned on even tougher within the playoffs the place he averaged 20 minutes per night time.
The Bruins, assuming well being and no extra main strikes off the roster, may have a really robust defensive unit getting into the 2024-25 season. Zadorov is a left-shot defenseman who may slide into the highest pairing subsequent to Charlie McAvoy, a transfer that may permit Mason Lohrei extra time to come back into his personal. Moreover, it might presumably take some strain off Hampus Lindholm. The Bruins may additionally use Zadorov on the third pair after which even transfer him as much as skate with McAvoy as a lock-down pairing within the playoffs.
Both means, it will get them larger, stronger and a bit bit more durable, whereas additionally serving to offset the losses of Matt Grzelcyk (Pittsburgh) and Derek Forbort (Vancouver).
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