The Vancouver Canucks have been the most active team in trying to get better this season. They not only added Nikita Zadorov earlier on, they recently brought in Elias Lindholm. While it isn’t believed they are done adding because the team is looking for another right-shot defenseman, Zadorov could very well be on his way out already to make room.
Elliotte Friedman wonders if the Canucks look to trade Zadorov to clear up cap space before the deadline. While the Canucks and the Calgary Flames have already made two trades this season, it is rumored that Chris Tanev could be moved over as well. He was almost included in the Lindholm deal, but something held it up and the sides are working on a separate deal. Zadorov would not be going back to the Flames though as he doesn’t want to be there.
The Canucks Can Surely Move Zadorov
What is more likely, especially if Tanev is the final big target by the Canucks this season, is to get similar value for Zadorov elsewhere. There are teams looking for defenseman around the league. This would be the second cap dump of the season for the Canucks and really show how serious they are about winning this season. Zadorov was an earlier fix, but the right side is much weaker as the team should really only trust Filip Hronek.
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What is important to note for the Canucks is that they have free range to trade Zadorov wherever they choose as he doesn’t have any trade protection. Realistically though, there will only be a few teams at the most who are even capable or willing to take him for the remainder of the season. Maybe a team hopes they can re-sign him to a short-term deal or a contender is suddenly dealing with a hole from an injury, Zadorov will come in to play then.
There’s no guarantee that he is going to be traded and he is capable of playing the opposite side on the ice, it is just easier to play the left side if a player is left-handed. Tanev and potentially others are also better at defense than Zadorov and the Canucks can find themselves a cheaper replacement on the third pairing.
