Reeling in the aftermath of Johnny Gaudreau’s shocking free agent decision, the Calgary Flames opted for some familiarity, agreeing to terms with defenseman Nikita Zadorov on a two-year contract worth an average annual value of $3.75 million.
The details of the deal, which now ties Zadorov to Calgary through the 2023-24 season, such as its salary structure and inclusion of any trade protection, have yet to be released.
Zadorov is as pure of a shutdown defender as it gets in the modern NHL.
The 27-year-old plays a remarkably defensive-focused game, disrupting the cycle in his own zone while often preventing opponents from entering it all together, as well as killing penalties with the best of them.
Despite his defensive inclinations, Zadorov actually didn’t fare too poorly on the offensive side of things last season, racking up four goals and 18 assists for 22 points in 74 games with Calgary while logging a little under 17 minutes per night. It appears as if reigning Jack Adams winner Darryl Sutter’s system suited his strengths perfectly, allowing Zadorov to carve out a niche for himself on a division-leading team after bouncing around the league for the past few years.
In a shutdown role, Zadorov can provide some serious value to the Flames even at a somewhat steep cap hit. And for a team that just lost its best offensive player and seems to be in a state of panic, his return adds some stability to the Flames’ organization that is sorely needed.
Even with a flurry of signings already in the books, free agent frenzy is far from over.
