The big blueliner said asking to be dealt stemmed from not receiving a contract offer from Calgary
Regrets? Nikita Zadorov says he doesn’t have any regarding how it all went down with his departure from the Calgary Flames via trade to the Vancouver Canucks.
After the morning skate in anticipation of facing his former club Saturday night at the Saddledome, Zadorov was asked whether he wished his trade request had remained private.
“No,” the big defenceman said. “I’m happy where I’m at right now.”
As for what had changed from the end of last season when he said he could envision being with the Flames the rest of his career, Zadorov was also succinct.
“I haven’t got a contract offer. That’s it,” he said.
He skirted around whether it was uncomfortable in the room after his trade request became public
“Some people are probably surprised my teammates actually like me, right,” he said with a laugh. “When we go on the ice, there’s definitely no friends. They’re gonna be my friends the rest of my life. …
“My teammates were the best part. Hopefully they will not hit me too hard today.”
Nor does he believe it was a hard time to play through since his request became known on Remembrance Day.
“It’s business. That’s our lives, but that’s part of the business. I have to be professional. Nobody gives a s**t about my feelings at the end of the day,” he said. “I showed up for the game. I’m playing for my teammates no matter what I’m playing for and leaving everything on the ice. I don’t think I’m in the position right now to cry about how I feel.”
Now, the page turns, and Zadorov is part of the Canucks team, his request answered via swap that gave the Flames a pair of draft picks in return.
“It’s weird, for sure, walking in that door,” said the blueliner who netted one goal and six points in 21 games for Calgary this season. “I have so many friends there, but there’s no buddies on the ice. We’re not going to cut deals today, for sure. It’s exciting. I’m excited to play hockey today, for sure.”
The trade that sent Zadorov to his fifth team actually reunited him with Tyler Myers. The twin towers were defence partners a decade ago for the Buffalo Sabres.
“We’re kinda running it back right now,” Zadorov said. “He’s a good player. Right now, I’m just trying to get in here, learn the system, learn what the coaches want from me.”
At 6-foot-8, Myers is one of the few players in the league taller than the 6-foot-6 Zadorov.
“Those two guys can really play with a fast mentality,” said Vancouver coach Rick Tocchet. “They’re good in the corners, net front, can box out. We still want them to join the rush. That’s two big guys. That’s a big reach, and a pain in the ass to play against. That’s what we want those guys to be, a pain in the ass.”
