Bruins' $30,000,000 star Nikita Zadorov reveals decision behind donning new jersey number

By Cole Shelton

Modified Jul 08, 2024 16:20 GMT

Nikita Zadorov will still be wearing number 91 with the Boston Bruins. He signed a six-year deal worth $5 million per season on July 1.

Zadorov was one of the top free agent defensemen available and quickly signed a deal with the Bruins. On Monday, Zadorov was officially introduced and he revealed he will be wearing number 91, which he wore with the Vancouver Canucks last season.

Zadorov, however, has spent the majority of his career wearing 16, but he says he decided on 91 because it is an upside-down 16.

"New #Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov will wear No. 91 because it’s “upside down 16.” He wore 16 with Colorado, Chicago and Calgary, but had 91 in Vancouver. “[My] main focus why I signed here is because I want [to have] my best chance to win a championship.”

Zadorov is expected to be on the third pairing with Andrew Peeke but the right-shot defensemen can add some scoring and be a physical presence on the backend.

"When you talk around the League, you always hear good things about Boston," Zadorov said, via NHL.com. "Their culture inside the room, inside the organization. It's always 'win or nothing.' To put myself in the best position to win the Stanley Cup, that was the main reason I signed there."

Zadorov recorded four goals and four assists for eight points in 13 playoff games.

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Bruins GM explains why he signed Nikita Zadorov

After the Bruins' signing of Zadorov was made official on July 1, general manager Don Sweeney spoke to the media about the deal.

Sweeney says Zadorov adds a swagger to the back end that the team needed.

“The presence that Z brings is important to us. Playing a lot of top four minutes in the playoffs against top guys, comes with a bit of swagger,” Sweeney said on July 1 at a press conference. “He has certainly seen his game grow and probably get a little more defined in what he’s capable of doing."

“Early in his career, he had a lot of nights out to try and make an impact, and he made it for both teams at times, like all young players do that are aggressive in that sense. Now he really understands his game and what he brings to the table,” Sweeney added.

Nikita Zadorov has been in the NHL since the 2013-14 season. He was drafted 16th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2013 NHL draft and has also played for the Avalanche, Flames, Blackhawks, and Canucks.