Bruins most definitely beefing up with Nikita Zadorov.
BRIGHTON – Within a very clear movement to get bigger and stronger throughout the entire organization, there is no denying that the Boston Bruins placed an immediate NHL emphasis on being big, strong and maybe even a little mean on the back end. The movement to “bigger is better” is punctuated by the signing of 6-foot-6 blueline bruiser Nikita Zadorov, who has a greatest hits reel of blowing up opponents who had the audacity to bring the puck into his zone with speed, playmaking and the threat to score.
This is what intimidation in today’s kinder, gentler NHL is all about.
I’m very much looking forward to seeing this side of Zadorov on the Bruins. Love his physicality. It’ll be nice to watch a Bruins defender stand up for their tendy#NHLBruin.
“The presence that Z [Nikita Zadorov] brings is important to us. Playing a lot of top four minutes in the playoffs against top guys comes with a bit of swagger, he has certainly seen his game grow and probably get a little more defined in what he’s capable of doing,” said Don Sweeney. “Early in his career, he had a lot of nights out to try and make an impact, and he made it for both teams at times, like all young players do that are aggressive in that sense.
“Now he really understands his game and what he brings to the table. He’s very excited, and obviously I think his quote stands for itself in being excited to join the Boston Bruins and have a chance to play with Charlie McAvoy if that’s how it lines up, and the team. He was very intent when we found out he had an interest in Boston for all the right reasons, and that’s why we’re excited about bringing him in.”
Of the six Bruins defensemen expected to start the season, McAvoy is now actually the smallest at 6-foot-1 and 209 pounds with none of the other D-men even registering under 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds.
Zadorov is now the biggest and most fearsome at 6-6 and 248 pounds, but even so he’s now bristling at anybody calling him by his “Big Z” moniker given Zdeno Chara’s Hall of Fame-level run as “Big Zee” in Black and Gold.
“I mean, it’s hard. I’m not even close [to Zdeno Chara], and I want to start with I know in my past, teams and people were calling me “Big Z.” Please do not ever call me “Big Z” now because I mean, I feel like I’m not even close to half of the ‘Big Zee.’” Said Zadorov. “He was unbelievable. He’s one of the best defensemen of all time. There’s definitely a lot to learn from him.
“Obviously, he was one of my role models growing up because [of his] size, [his] kind of physical play and everything, and the way [he is as a] leader, I think I can learn a lot from him.”
Nikita Zadorov on joining the #NHLBruins: “Where do I start about why did I choose the Bruins? Everything…it’s a big league, everybody talks…haven’t heard a bad thing in 11 years about the Bruins culture.”
Watch full media availability ➡️ https://t.co/DbwRo60KlX pic.twitter.com/kCJJnecvgB
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) July 1, 2024
Still, there is no denying that the Big Bad Bruins are a little more back to their traditional, old-school personality with bruisers like Zadorov, Brandon Carlo and Andrew Peeke taking some of the heat off McAvoy to always be the heavy hitter in the lineup. Adding Zadorov frees McAvoy up to focus a little more on moving the puck and creating offense and could even protect him from some of the physical abuse he takes if they become defensive partners.
