Maple Leafs linked to rugged defenseman in Calgary

The Calgary Flames' fire-sale may have begun as they have shipped out forward Tyler Toffoli to the New Jersey Devils for the rights to Yegor Sharangovich and the 80th overall selection in the upcoming draft. Noah Hanifin, Elias Lindholm, and Mikael Backlund are all reluctant to return in 2024-25, so it's fair to say Craig Conroy has a lot on his plate as a first-time general manager.

David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period tweeted out that defenseman, Nikita Zadorov, has drawn the interest of the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers, and Toronto Maple Leafs. All 3 teams are looking for defensive help and Zadorov will be playing on an expiring contract with a cap hit of $3.75 million AAV. Shortly thereafter, Elliotte Friedman reported the same.

Zadorov is a 10-year veteran who has played for Buffalo, Colorado, Chicago, and Calgary, has posted 41 goals and 126 points across 567 games, has accumulated 576 PIMs, all the while registering 1,591 hits and 598 blocks in 18:10 ATOI along the way.

Brad Treliving originally acquired the rights to Zadorov from the Blackhawks for a third round pick in 2022 NHL Entry Draft in the summer of 2021. As a pending RFA, Zadorov avoided arbitration by signing a one-year deal worth 3.75 million. The following year, he then agreed to a 2-year deal worth 7.5 million.

The former first round pick stands in at 6'6 and 248 lbs, is a mean and rugged defenseman that'll make you think twice upon entering the opposition's side of the ice. He has collected back to back 20+ point seasons for the first time in his career, first in 2021-22 with 22 points in 74 games and again this past season with 14 goals and 21 points in 82 contests.

Considering the return for Toffoli wasn't great, one must wonder what a lesser player in Zadorov would fetch from the desperate Flames.

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