In April, defenceman Nikita Zadorov said he would like to be a member of the Calgary Flames for life.
Fast forward seven months, and Zadorov publicly requested a trade after an OT loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs that eventually led to him being traded to the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.
As fate would have it, Zadorov’s first game in a Canucks uniform will come in Calgary against his former team Saturday.
Before the game, Zadorov was asked what made him suddenly want out of Calgary, to which the Russian gave a very forthcoming answer.
“I haven’t got a contract offer,” Zadorov said.
He was also asked if he wished his trade request had been handled privately, and he was once again frank with his response.
“No, I’m happy where I’m at right now,” the towering defenceman said.
Sportsnet’s Eric Francis reported that Zardorov was paired with Tyler Myers at the Canucks’ morning skate on Saturday.
If indeed paired together, the six-foot-six Zadrorov will form an intimidating duo with the six-foot-eight Myers.
But Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet is excited about more than just Zadorov’s size.
“He’s not just some big guy out there,” Tocchet said Saturday. “He can do other aspects of a good defenceman. We’re really excited about the trade.”
You can watch Zadorov make his Canucks debut against his former team on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.
