Bruins shore up defense with long term deal for Zadorov

*Photo from Daily Faceoff*

   Another need has been taken care of. Defenseman Nikita Zadorov and the Boston Bruins have agreed to a 6 year, $30 million contract, according to Darren Dreger of TSN. The addition has been confirmed by the team.

   The addition of Zadorov fills a need on the left side of the Bruins defense chart, as left shot defensemen Derek Forbort, Matt Grzelcyk, and Kevin Shattenkirk all left via free agency, though Shattenkirk hasn't found a new home yet.

   The move also comes right as the Bruins signed center Elias Lindholm to a 7 year contract in free agency as well. Both Zadorov and Lindholm have played together since 2021-2022 with the Calgary Flames. Both were then dealt to the Vancouver Canucks in the middle of last season, and now both have signed with the Bruins.

   Last season, Zadorov was a dependable force for the Flames and Canucks. Combined between the two teams, he compiled 6 goals and 14 assists, posting an even zero rating and averaging 17:26 of ice time across 75 games. He added 4 goals and 4 assists in 13 playoff games.

   Zadorov said of choosing to sign in Boston that "When you talk around the League, you always hear good things about Boston. Their culture inside the room, inside the organization. It's always 'win or nothing.' To put myself in the best position to win the Stanley Cup, that was the main reason I signed there."

   The new contract with the Bruins pays Zadorov $5 million annually, with Zadorov getting $9.5 million of the $30 million deal in signing bonus money spread across 5 years. He also gets a full no movement clause in year one, a no trade clause in year two, and a modified no trade clause in years 3 and 4. Years 5 and 6 don't have any trade protection.

   Zadorov has played for 5 different teams across his 11 seasons in the league. He has 47 goals and 99 assists for 146 points to his name, averaging 18:05 of ice time per game while recording a +12 rating over the course of 642 regular season games.

   With Zadorov under contract, the Bruins have him, Mason Lohrei, and Hampus Lindholm as their top 3 left shot defensemen, while Charlie McAvoy, Andrew Peeke, and Brandon Carlo make up the right side. Parker Wotherspoon is the team's 7th defenseman.