Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov has recently been a hot topic for the NHL and the viewers. His 6'7" frame has helped set a presence on Bruins ice. The team luckily picked him up as a UFA from the Vancouver Canucks during the 2023-24 season. The Bruins signed Zadorov to a 6-year contract, at an overall value of $30 million.
On October 16th against the Anaheim Ducks, Nikita had three minor penalties throughout the game. The first two penalties were double minors, one for elbowing and the other for roughing, while the third was unspecified. These all added to his record of 29 total penalty minutes (at the time). Due to this, and the nature of the referee calls, Head Coach Marco Sturm made Nikita a healthy scratch for the next game against the Los Angeles Kings.
The fans of the Bruins have mixed feelings about Nikita right now. Some say he is overreactive and has an ego that needs to be in check, while others think he's doing his job, doing nothing wrong, and is playing the game the way it should be played. One thing people need to understand is:
Nikita is doing his job
Zadorov came to the Bruins to become an enforcer-type defenseman and help set a presence for the team on the ice at home and away. Nikita fighting and helping defend a forward and non-fighter, number eleven Casey Mittelstadt, during the Halloween game against the Chicago Blackhawks is exactly what he's supposed to do.
When referees make bad calls, or when players "get away" with petty moves, it becomes an issue the players must deal with on the ice, and that is what he does. Thankfully, we have a team that will fight for each other. Not only does Boston have Nikita, but they also have players such as Mark Kastelic and Tanner Jeannot, who are also willing to do the dirty work that, at times, must be done.
Positive aggression
At the home game against the Florida Panthers on November 8th, immediately after the first puck was dropped, both Nikita Zadorov and Brady Tkachuk dropped gloves. After Nikita sat down Brady and they each got five minutes for fighting, emotions and tempers were still high. Both Hampus Lindholm and Zadorov got ten minute misconducts in the second.
After this game, Coach Marco stated that Nikita helped set the tone for the ice, and it was the right thing to do, and he praised Zadorov for doing his job, setting the Panthers in line.
Players who fight will always need to choose whether the fight and penalties are worth it before they drop the gloves. Nikita, over the years, has found that balance, and deep-rooted Bruins fans are grateful to have him on the team!
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