Nikita Zadorov was born on April 16, 1995, in Moskva, Russia. The defenseman played for Krasnaya Armiya Moskva during the 2011-12 season and scored two goals with four assists in 41 games. Zadorov also participated in the World Junior Championships for Team Russia’s U18 team and contributed two goals in six tournament games. With the U17 team, Zadorov won the Gold Medal in the World Hockey Championships that year. In 2012, Zadorov was drafted in the first round, fourth overall, by CSKA Moskva in the KHL Draft but never played for the club after the London Knights made the big blue liner the ninth overall pick in the CHL Import Draft.
Nikita Zadorov Stats & Salary Cap
Zadorov played two seasons with London and registered 17 goals and 38 assists in 99 regular-season games. In the postseason after the 2012-13 season, Zadorov scored two goals with four assists as the Knights won the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL Champion. Zadorov was an All-Rookie selection and helped the U20 Russian team to a Bronze Medal in 2014.
The Buffalo Sabres Select Nikita Zadorov in the First Round of the 2013 NHL Draft
Nikita Zadorov was chosen with the 16th overall pick in the first round of the 2013 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. Elite Prospects described Zadorov as a player who “projects as a two-way, all-around defenseman. He has a hard shot from the point, lays open ice hits, and uses his premier size all over the ice. He is an average skater but can rush the puck”. Zadorov was the seventh defenseman taken in the draft.
Zadorov’s NHL Debut To Today
Zadorov made his NHL debut on October 19, 2013, for the Sabres in a 4-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. The big defender played 11:01 over 14 shifts and contributed three hits. Four days later, Zadorov scored his first NHL goal against the Boston Bruins in a 5-2 loss. Buffalo traded Zadorov on June 26, 2015, to the Avalanche in a package that included Ryan O’Reilly. Overall, Zadorov has played 699 regular season games for five NHL teams and has 50 goals and 110 assists.
Zadorov signed a six-year contract with the Boston Bruins on July 1, 2024, and he joined his sixth NHL team.
Season 4. Episode 41. Is It Time Yet? – Bruins Benders Podcast
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