Nikita Zadorov Linked To Maple Leafs After Agent's Comment - NHL Trade Rumors

Nikita Zadorov wasn’t happy about missing a game, according to Jim McBride of the Boston Globe. The 31-year-old defenseman in the Bruins’ 4-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks committed a double minor penalty against forward Frank Vatrano, which became his second and third penalties of the night amid the poorest of games from him in 2026-27. Marco Sturm scratched him as a result of that in the Bruins 4-1 win against the Kings. But Zadorov doubled down on his style of play;

When the Boston Bruins signed Nikita Zadorov to a contract a couple of summers ago, general manager Don Sweeney got what he had been looking for: a big, physical defenseman who fits the mold of how the Bruins play. The last two seasons, he's been big for the Black and Gold on the backend, even when the Bruins struggled through a rough 2024-25 regular season. Some see him as a potential locker room leader. That might be the case, but he hasn't looked like it so far in 2026-27. However, he has slowly been making very undisciplined decisions on the ice, and his penalty troubles continue on a nightly basis. After his performance on Friday night against the Anaheim Ducks, second-year head coach Marco Sturm has had enough. Bruins make defenseman Nikita Zadorov a healthy scratch against the KingsIf there is one thing that we learned about Marco Sturm in his first year as head coach, it's that he isn't afraid to sit a veteran to send a message. We saw it last season with Casey Mitttlestadt last year, also in October, and the results were much better after that. Sturm decided to sit Zadorov against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night, and he didn't beat around the bush as to why.

Boston Bruins fans will always have a soft spot for a large defenseman who attempts to take people's heads off when he gets mad. Nikita Zadorov throws at least one hit per game where you fear for the other player's safety, and in true Boston fashion, we love it. However, when multiple frustrating things outweigh those one or two hits, we might be developing a problem. My biggest concern with Zadorov is that he is visibly struggling to keep up with a game that is only getting faster. The big man may have some great straight-line speed when he gets a full head of steam, but when shifty forwards force him to move laterally, Jeremy Swayman or Michael DiPietro may as well guarantee that a chance is coming their way. Sometimes Zadorov manages to ride a player off into the boards or stick a hip out, but the opposition is starting to figure out how to exploit his lack of agility, and it is becoming a massive problem for Boston's rush defense. Zadorov knows it too, and when players start beating him, his frustration causes even more problems.

The Pittsburgh Penguins said that their team plane had to return to Salt Lake City on Tuesday due to a medical episode involving forward Ben Kindel. The Penguins said the plane returned to Salt Lake City International Aiport shortly after takeoff.

The Columbus Blue Jackets skated at Nationwide Arena on Tuesday. The Maple Leafs held an optional skate. Kirill Marchenko wanted out of Columbus. On Tuesday night, he returns to the Ohio capital with his new team. And the 26-year-old Leafs winger isn’t sure how he’ll be welcomed back. “I really appreciate fans in Columbus when I played there,” Marchenko told reporters following Monday’s win over the San Jose Sharks. “It will be awesome, good time, and I don’t want to say anything else because I don’t know what they will do. It’s not on me. It’s not my control right now. I just focus on my game.”Marchenko led the Blue Jackets in goals in each of the last three seasons before making a messy exit from the franchise that drafted him in the second round in 2018. The Jackets will be welcoming back Marchenko at some point during the first period, but there is no video tribute planned. “I really don’t know what to expect,” said defenceman Zach Werenski. “I know he was a fan favourite when he was here. I’m sure they’re a little upset with how it ended. I’m sure they’ll voice it if they are.”“I think it will be an exciting game,” said winger Mathieu Olivier.

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