So will Scott1977. I believe he's been clamoring for Zadorov for a while now.
- Theo Fox

Yep pair him with boqvist for protection

Hi! Yeah, I've been limiting my hockey time to SCH as I got promoted at work last year around Christmas but I needed to vent with other hockey peeps and SCH isn't fully covering it lol.

I agree, Zadorov is probably an okay enough bottom pairing guy but then I don't understand why it cost Saad for that. Imo they would have been better off retaining more to get a better package now or at the TDL. Also Zadorov is a RFA so his contract isn't know but if he comes even close to Maatta, it makes that trade pretty pointless too.
- L_B_R

Just wondering but do you think stan had a talk with zadorov before tge trade to come to a contract agreement?

Just wondering but do you think stan had a talk with zadorov before tge trade to come to a contract agreement?
- Taylorst1

Thinking he would have had to, to make the trade worth it.

Tough to lose Saad but seemed he had a target on his back .Saad way a very underestimated player IMO but will be sorely missed on PK PP and top line forward .
Still I am ok with this move if we truly are in a rebuild getting younger and bigger is ok

Thanks, LBR, and welcome back after not seeing you in these parts for a long while.

My take on Zadorov is that he's best anchoring a 3rd pair. I'd much rather trust the 2nd pair to be Murphy with de Haan assuming good health for both and neither of them are on the trading block right now.
- Theo Fox

I don’t usually chime in on trades - they often work out much differently than anticipated - but:

If you and Lady are correct, why would you send out a top-6 forward and get a 3rd-pairing defenseman (even one who hits) in return - other than to save some cash (and I’ll assume he gets resigned for less than what Saad is getting)?

One would think other moves are coming - there isn’t anyone in the system to replace Saad, I don’t think.

So a third pair dman with size for a top 6 forward, AND we retain salary?! I can't believe we didn't get a 2nd or 3rd round pick too.

So...with the first overall pick in the 2021 NHL draft, the Chicago Blackhawks select...

Net savings $1.8M, not counting Gilbert and Lindholm. Someone check my math.

@BenPopeCST

Nikita Zadorov is actually NOT an RFA, anymore.

The new Blackhawks acquisition signed a 1-year, $3.2 million contract right before the trade occurred, per the official release.

LBR!!!!! Welcome back!
- tvetter

Hi!

Many of us have chanted "shake shake em up" and other things from the bench while our team batting in softball or baseball. It is prcticly a right of passage growing up playing in sports leagues. Even later in adult leagues

Well the NHL certainly is shaking up the rosters around the league. As expected. The other pro sports leagues for many years now really change personnel like crazy. Within three years you could have two thirds or more turnover.

Now the NHL apparently is full speed as head in matching the personnel changeover

Oh for the old days of arguing whose team was better...when there was maybe one major trade per team, couple minor leaguers debut

In Chicago back in the day maybe some of you even had the childhood loyalty arguments. In baseball I argued I rather have Billy Williams than Richard Allen

So in hockey you rather have Makita and B Hull. Or whom was the comparison on Montreal, Toronto or other

The good "old days" like the group Chicago sings.

I don't understand the trade either salary retention ? Avs have plenty of cap space anf why not jost or Bowers included? Unless there is someone i free agency they are targeting or there is another trade coming otherwise not a good trade.bowman got fleeced again.

@BenPopeCST

Nikita Zadorov is actually NOT an RFA, anymore.

The new Blackhawks acquisition signed a 1-year, $3.2 million contract right before the trade occurred, per the official release.
- Theo Fox

Which means they don’t even have him locked up for a couple of years.

Net savings to Rocky (if I’m calculating correctly) - $1,800,000 for the one year.

More must be coming.

Net savings $1.8M, not counting Gilbert and Lindholm. Someone check my math.

@BenPopeCST

Nikita Zadorov is actually NOT an RFA, anymore.

The new Blackhawks acquisition signed a 1-year, $3.2 million contract right before the trade occurred, per the official release.
- Theo Fox

Yes, I think - Saad’s $6 less the $1 retained compared to the $3.2 for Zadorov.

BTW - his knickname should be Pia (which is what I always thought of when hearing his name on Avs games).

Bad trade unless more is coming that makes it all worthwhile.

Thinking he would have had to, to make the trade worth it.
- vabeachbear

I agree . Capfriendly has the trade updated but nothing contract wise yet.

I hate to see Saad go ... especially in-division.

I fully expect Bowman has more planned. Either goaltender or forward ... or both.

I don't understand the trade either salary retention ? Avs have plenty of cap space anf why not jost or Bowers included? Unless there is someone i free agency they are targeting or there is another trade coming otherwise not a good trade.bowman got fleeced again.
- Scott1977

The salary retention is only for one year - and they are saving (as Theo noted) $1.8 in cap hit for next season.

Actually, Rocky is saving $2.3 in cash ($6.5 cash due Saad, less the $1 retained, less the $3.2 to Zadorov).

The issue is the return.

Bad trade unless more is coming that makes it all worthwhile.
- SimpleJack

MAF with a SH!t load of sweetners? T Johnson with sweetners? Signing Hall? Does not matter this is a horrible trade.

I hate to see Saad go ... especially in-division.

I fully expect Bowman has more planned. Either goaltender or forward ... or both.
- I Am The Breadman

I hope forward.

Go with the 3 “chealpos” currently on the roster - see if anyone can bust out.

They seriously need an actual top-6 (or potential top-6) forward at this point.

Suprized Zadoriv is only 25, thought he has been around longer. When does he become UFA I bet after this year. Not sure how I feel , I thought Hawks could get more for Saad. This may show the Hawks are not as thrilled with their defenceman prospects as some are on here.

Net savings $1.8M, not counting Gilbert and Lindholm. Someone check my math.

@BenPopeCST

Nikita Zadorov is actually NOT an RFA, anymore.

The new Blackhawks acquisition signed a 1-year, $3.2 million contract right before the trade occurred, per the official release.
- Theo Fox

So a sign and trade then. Ek must be ecstatic.

The salary retention is only for one year - and they are saving (as Theo noted) $1.8 in cap hit for next season.

Actually, Rocky is saving $2.3 in cash ($6.5 cash due Saad, less the $1 retained, less the $3.2 to Zadorov).

The issue is the return.
- StLBravesFan

Is money retained prorated?

I hope forward.

Go with the 3 “chealpos” currently on the roster - see if anyone can bust out.

They seriously need an actual top-6 (or potential top-6) forward at this point.
- StLBravesFan

Me too. There is a Saad sized hole on the team. Top 6 wasn't all that impressive during the playoffs. They got weaker, imo.

What are you telling Toews,Kane,Keith,Seabrook.Their all in there 30’s now,and guys we are going younger so we are now playing for the lottery,I hope you guys understand.You all have 3rings,now it’s time to re-build.

I hope forward.

Go with the 3 “chealpos” currently on the roster - see if anyone can bust out.

They seriously need an actual top-6 (or potential top-6) forward at this point.
- StLBravesFan

The hawks are showing roughly 11 million available in cap space now when or if xtrome signs thats 3.5 million roughly plus adding seabrook and shaw back in 10.7 million maybe stan has another move to make .

Taylor hall is available

Hi! Yeah, I've been limiting my hockey time to SCH as I got promoted at work last year around Christmas but I needed to vent with other hockey peeps and SCH isn't fully covering it lol.

I agree, Zadorov is probably an okay enough bottom pairing guy but then I don't understand why it cost Saad for that. Imo they would have been better off retaining more to get a better package now or at the TDL. Also Zadorov is a RFA so his contract isn't know but if he comes even close to Maatta, it makes that trade pretty pointless too.
- L_B_R

Although I don't post at SCH, I see you there on many of the threads. I just go to get news like the other Blackhawks sites.

Yeah, head scratcher on the net zero with Zadorov canceling out the Maatta departure as far as D spots.

On the one hand, a one-year deal at $3.2M isn't bad especially if he just turn out to be meh. But if he's the goods, then that's a plus for the Hawks.

But on the other hand, the return from the Avs for just one year of Zadorov and a minor league defender is pretty lacking especially with Saad going the other way.