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NHL Rumors: Elliotte Friedman feels Canucks struggling to meet $7,500,000 star's contract demands
The Vancouver Canucks are facing a challenging offseason and particularly with the contract situation of defenseman Nikita Zadorov. Elliotte Friedman discussed the issue on the 32 Thoughts podcast on Friday. Friedman said that the Canucks are struggling to meet Zadorov's contract demands.
"I think Nikita Zadorov has a number, and it might actually be a little less than he could get in the open market to stay in Vancouver," Friedman said (via 32 Thoughts podcast)
Friedman said that Vancouver is not far from meeting Zadorov's demands but they haven't quite reached the mark:
"I don't think Vancouver is far away from it, but I don't think they've hit it. Vancouver is trying to make the best deal they can. They're not there yet. We'll see where we go here.
"I don't think this is impossible, but I think they have to get there because Zadorov knows if he gets to the open market, he's going to be happy with what's out there. So it's going to be up to the Canucks to get to the number he wants."
On July 13, 2022, Zadorov signed a two-year contract worth $7,500,000 with the Calgary Flames. However, he was traded to the Canucks by the Flames on Nov. 30, 2023.
Zadorov's contract technically completed its term when Vancouver was eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in the second round of the playoffs. During the 2024 season, Zadorov scored 20 points in 75 games. He also added eight points in the playoffs, with four goals and four assists, while averaging 20:09 ice time over 13 games.
Vancouver is trying to negotiate the best deal possible, but nothing has been finalized yet. Zadorov, aware of his value on the open market, remains firm on his expectations. The team needs to meet his demands if it wants to keep him on the roster.
Canucks promote Yogi Svejkovsky to assistant coach
The Vancouver Canucks promoted Jaroslav “Yogi” Svejkovsky to assistant coach. Previously, he spent two seasons as a skills coach. Svejkovsky is a former first-round draft pick by the Washington Capitals in 1996. He has coaching experience in the WHL but this is his first pro level coaching role.
He and head coach Rick Tocchet were briefly teammates with the Capitals in the 1996-97 NHL season. Tocchet praised Svejkovsky, via NHL.com:
"Since I arrived in Vancouver, I have been very impressed with Yogi’s work ethic and willingness to do anything and everything to help us become a better team."
Vancouver also announced that Daniel and Henrik Sedin will be more involved in coaching activities in both Vancouver and Abbotsford.
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