Following Zadorov's hit on Bertuzzi on Friday, the Flames defenseman requested a trade out of Calgary and Toronto would be a fit.

The internet was set ablaze when Nikita Zadorov's agent — Dan Milstein — shared that the Calgary Flames defenseman would be a good fit with the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

Now comes word that a Maple Leafs player shared that sentiment on the ice.

On the latest episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast with Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marker, Friedman shared that he was told a member of the Maple Leafs was heard telling Zadorov that he would be a welcomed addition to the Blue and White after the defenseman laid a crushing hit to Maple Leafs forward Tyler Bertuzzi.

"The word going around on Sunday night is that a Maple Leaf player said to Zadorov on the ice that 'you’re exactly what we need,'" Friedman said.

The Maple Leafs defeated the Calgary Flames 5-4 in a shootout on Friday. Following the game, ESPN's Kevin Weekes reported that the defenseman had requested a trade out of Calgary.

The 28-year-old Zadorov has a goal and four assists in 12 games this season. He's in the final year of a two-year deal that carries an average annual value of $3.75 million and is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

Drafted in the first round (16th overall) by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2013 NHL Draft, there are likely to be many suitors. Do the Maple Leafs have the assets in a trade to acquire the 6-foot-6 defender?

The Leafs are currently without defenseman Timothy Lilejgren (groin) and Conor Timmins (lower-body), Toronto's biggest defensive acquisition in the off-season, — John Klingberg — has struggled defensively this season.

Following the game against the Flames, the Maple Leafs showed a bit more toughness as Mark Giordano and Max Domi both responded to open-ice hits from the Vancouver Canucks.

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