Canucks GM: Nikita Zadorov to become free agent

Defenseman Nikita Zadorov will test the free agent market and sign with a different team, Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin told reporters on Friday.

Zadorov will become an unrestricted free agent on Monday. Allvin said the 29-year-old wants more money than the team feels he's worth.

"I can't overpay one single player and Nikita Zadorov was extremely good for us in the playoffs and a character guy," Allvin said. "We did our best and he decided that he wanted to go somewhere else."

Vancouver acquired Zadorov from the Calgary Flames on Nov. 30 for a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and a third-rounder in 2026.

In 54 games with Vancouver, Zadorov had five goals and 14 points. Overall this season, he had six goals and 20 points in 75 games.

Zadorov stepped up in the postseason with four goals and eight points in 13 games for the Canucks.

Zadorov just completed a two-year, $7.5 million deal he signed with the Flames in July 2022.

Overall, Zadorov has 47 goals and 99 assists in 642 NHL games across parts of 11 seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, Colorado Avalanche, Chicago Blackhawks, Flames and Canucks.

--Field Level Media