Should the Boston Bruins enter the NHL trade sweepstakes for Calgary Flames defenseman Nikita Zadorov?
During the Bruins’ game against the Canadiens in Montreal on Saturday night, there was some chatter that Bruins defenseman Don Sweeney could look into a potential trade fit between the Bruins and Flames for Zadorov.
“I look at the Bruins right now and the way they’re built – they’re big, hard on the forecheck and playing playoff style – I’m thinking Sweeney’s in on Zadorov,” an NHL source opined to Boston Hockey Now on Saturday night. “I know for a fact Sweeney’s looked into him before. They’ve been listening on [Matt] Grzelcyk. That could be a great 1-for-1 one for guys headed for free agency?”
A Zadorov for Matt Grzelcyk trade straight up would be the ultimate cap-compliant hockey trade. A left-shot for left-shot trade with Grzelcyk in the final season of a four-year contract that carries a $3.6 million cap hit and Zadorov in the final season of a two-year contract that carries a $3.7 million cap hit. Both are solid puck-moving defensemen, but Zadorov would add more size to a Bruins team seemingly relying on that stingy defense and goaltending this season. If the Bruins were to pull off a trade like this, they would also reportedly block two Eastern Conference foes from acquiring Zadorov.
On Friday, ESPN NHL Insider Kevin Weekes reported that the 6-foot-6, 235-pound defenseman was back on the NHL trade market after requesting a trade from the Flames.
Zadorov’s agent, Dan Milstein, confirmed the trade request as well and essentially ruled out his client making up and kissing with the Flames.
TSN NHL Insider Chris Johnston then reported that Zadorov would welcome a trade to the Maple Leafs.
On Saturday, fellow TSN NHL Insider Darren Dreger then tweeted that the Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, and the Vancouver Canucks appeared to be the initial frontrunners to acquire the 16th overall pick by the Buffalo Sabres at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
The Boston Bruins entered Saturday night’s tilt with the Canadiens seven points ahead of the Maple Leafs and eight points ahead of the Devils in the Eastern Conference standings. Should they enter the NHL trade sweepstakes for Nikita Zadorov and make a statement in the Eastern Conference race early, or just stay the course for now?
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