The 6’6” defenceman is becoming a fan favourite for the Vancouver Canucks thanks to his big goals and massive hits.
The 6’6” defenceman is becoming a fan favourite for the Vancouver Canucks thanks to his big goals and massive hits.
On a day that saw offensive stud Quinn Hughes elected as a finalist for the James Norris Trophy, it's a different Vancouver defenceman who dominated the ranks of Canucks Twitter.
After a long 40-ish minutes of 0–0 hockey on Wednesday night, Nikita Zadorov, taking a shift with Hughes, coasted past Nashville's Kiefer Sherwood and potted the puck high past Juuse Saros' glove.
While this may have been the lone goal scored by the Canucks for this game, it wasn't the only time that Zadorov's tally was the only one registered by the home team in this series. Of the three games played in Vancouver, Zadorov has twice been the sole player to score for the Canucks after three periods. His scoring streak throughout this run has been impressive, no doubt — but his offensive output isn't the only thing that has made him so effective throughout this series.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsPMgNfGL4I[/embed]
Before he arrived in Vancouver, Zadorov had been hailed for his massive hits and prominent presence on the blue line. It's likely, and almost customary, to watch Zadorov completely level an opponent chasing down the puck on any given night. The size and grit that he brings to the lineup is something that may significantly influence how far the Canucks make it into the postseason. In a series that has seen players like Hughes and Elias Pettersson become the targets of some of Nashville's biggest hits (and we're not talking about country music), it's vastly important for the Canucks to have players who can hit back.
Hits like these are important for more than just the "WOOOOs." A hit like this, when done legally, separates the puck from the opposing player, often leading to turnovers for the Canucks. This, in turn, helps generate a possible off-the-rush chance. It can momentarily take a man out of the play for the opposing team, leaving more room for scoring opportunities as well as fewer opposing players to contend with. A hit like this may not have the same impact as a goal but can contribute to the team's offensive output.
Zadorov is one of the few players on this team to have played more than 50 playoff games, with the only players having played more being Ian Cole, J.T. Miller, and Tyler Myers. His previous conquests include three playoff runs with the Colorado Avalanche and one with the Calgary Flames. Of these four postseason experiences, hopefully, his current one is the one that lasts the longest.
The buzz around Zadorov isn't something that emerged during the playoffs — much of Canucks nation has sung praises about the hulking defender ever since he was traded to Vancouver from the Calgary Flames in the winter of 2023. Only a couple weeks after being traded, he dropped the gloves with the Chicago Blackhawks' Reese Johnson after the latter committed a late hit on Vancouver's Pettersson. Little things like stepping up to defend his teammates, as well as his openness and overall goofy demeanour around the locker room (did you know his favourite marine animal is a pelican?), have sold the fanbase on him. Its characteristics like these that will make it all the more difficult to keep him in free agency. With a plethora of players to re-sign, such as Elias Lindholm and Filip Hronek, Vancouver may have a tough time keeping the fan-favourite Zadorov.
Regardless of whether Vancouver is able to keep him past the 2023–2024 season, it's clear that Zadorov has been one of — if not the — best player in this series. Whether with the Canucks or another team, he's sure to fetch a pretty penny, given all the attributes he can provide a team with.
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