The Boston Bruins have been hit hard by the injury bug lately, but they have continued to find a way to grind out wins. One of the pillars of consistency for the team this season has been defenseman Nikita Zadorov, who is in his second year with the B’s.
After signing a six-year, $30 million contract with Boston in free agency back in 2024, Zadorov endured a rough debut season with his new club. The overall struggles of the team certainly didn’t help, but Zadorov looked like a fish out of water at times as he attempted to adapt to his new surroundings.
This season, though, Zadorov has been much improved, as he’s helped lead a defensive unit that seemingly loses a new player to injury every night. Zadorov has suited up for each of the team’s first 27 games, though, and he believes he’s finally begun to prove he belongs in Boston.
“I think people appreciate the hard work, people appreciate physicality here, and people appreciate the emotions and the care, and that’s what I want to bring every night,” Zadorov said, per Scott McLaughlin of WEEI.com. “People thought my contract was bad before I even signed the contract … I knew I was going to prove everybody wrong.”
Beyond his contributions on the ice, Zadorov has quickly emerged as one of the key leaders of this team. That was evident when he was named one of the team’s alternate captains after Charlie McAvoy suffered a facial injury in November.
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Players all over the roster are stepping up for Boston this season, but Zadorov’s contributions may just be the most overlooked of the group. As long as the team keeps winning, though, that’s all that matters, and he will look to help the Bruins pick up their second win in as many games against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night.