Canucks Acquire Zadorov from Flames

Zadorov Traded to Vancouver for Draft Picks

Zadorov Requested Trade Earlier in Season

The Vancouver Canucks have acquired defenceman Nikita Zadorov from the Calgary Flames in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NHL draft and a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL draft. The move comes as a surprise, as Zadorov was a key part of the Flames' blueline last season.

Zadorov, 28, reportedly requested a trade from the Flames early in the 2023-24 season and was immediately linked to the Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks were in need of a physical presence on the back end, and Zadorov fits the bill. He is a big, physical defender who can play both the left and right side.

The Flames, meanwhile, are getting a pair of draft picks for Zadorov. The fifth-round pick in 2024 is the same pick that the Flames acquired from the Canucks in the trade that sent Elias Lindholm to Vancouver in 2020. The third-round pick in 2026 is a new pick that the Flames acquired in the trade.

The trade is a win-win for both teams. The Canucks get a much-needed physical presence on the back end, while the Flames get a pair of draft picks for a player who was no longer in their plans.

Conclusion

The trade of Nikita Zadorov is a sign of the times in the NHL. Teams are increasingly looking for big, physical defenders who can play both sides of the puck. Zadorov fits that bill, and he should be a valuable addition to the Vancouver Canucks.

The Flames, meanwhile, are getting a pair of draft picks for a player who was no longer in their plans. The trade is a win-win for both teams, and it should be interesting to see how Zadorov performs in Vancouver.