Despite down year, Nikita Zadorov thinks free agents will want to join Bruins..
BOSTON — As he met with the media one more time on Thursday, Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov revealed an encouraging part of his exit interview.
The Russian defenseman said the Bruins management assured him that they planned to be aggressive in pursuit of free agents and trades in the offseason.
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“They are willing to do anything to win. That was a clear message today,” he said. “It’s going to be an exciting summer. It’s going to be exciting for us to see our new teammates, whoever is coming to join us.”
The Bruins figure to have several holes to fill and will likely look to add at least one top six forward.
Zadorov had no doubts that free agents will look at the Bruins as an attractive team to join, much as he did a year ago when he signed in Boston as a free agent.
“Why would they not want to come here? It’s an Original 6 team in a great city to play in,” he said. “We have one of the best players in the world (David Pastrnak), one of the best goalies in the world (Jeremy Swayman), two really good D-men (Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm) who were out most of the year. We have all the pieces for the future. We have the breakout player of the year, probably (Morgan Geekie). It’s a great organization. Great management. Great leadership up top. Great general manager.”
He wasn’t surprised at management’s promise to be aggressive.
“What are we going to be wasting Pasta’s year?” he said. “I don’t have many years left. The two Lindys, C-Mac. It’s win or nothing around here.”
Why it’s time for Rangers to trade Chris Kreider this offseason…
This offseason should not be a time for the New York Rangers to be sentimental about their current longest-tenured player. It’s best for the Rangers to find a trade partner and cut ties with Chris Kreider.
Perhaps that sounds a bit cold. But if that’s the case, then the Rangers likely have the right man for the job to manage this situation. Though you’d hope that Chris Drury would handle Kreider’s exit more smoothly than he did those of Jacob Trouba and Barclay Goodrow, the bottom line is that the general manager has already proven capable of making hard decisions when it comes to veteran personnel.
That Drury already showed his hand by including Kreider specifically in the infamous trade memo to the 31 other GMs in the League last November is reason to believe that he’s planning to move on from Kreider.
Though, there are valid arguments to keep Kreider, they simply don’t trump those to deal him away.
There’s certainly sentiment that new coach Mike Sullivan could help spur a comeback season from Kreider, who dropped to 22 goals and 30 points this past season. That, coupled with the hope that a healthy Kreider is due to bounce back in 2025-26, are understandable reasons to keep CK20 on Broadway.
The Kreider who’s a game-changing net front presence and 30+ goal scorer as he was the previous three seasons before his 2024-25 downturn is enticing to have on the roster. But at age 34 and coming off a slew of injuries, can that type of season be expected from him?
What do you think?
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