The Calgary Flames made a trade on Thursday, sending defenseman Nikita Zadorov to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round pick and a 2026 third-round pick. The trade left many people underwhelmed, with some suggesting that the Flames may not have received a fair return for Zadorov.
Zadorov, who was playing with an edge as a 6-foot-5, 230-pound defenseman, was seen as a valuable asset for a team with playoff aspirations. However, the Flames only received two draft picks in exchange for him, leaving some to question whether they could have gotten a better deal closer to the trade deadline.
One complicating factor was that Zadorov had publicly expressed his wish to leave Calgary, potentially causing a discounted price for the Flames in the trade negotiations. Despite this, the team vowed to wait for an offer that best served their needs. Zadorov’s departure also provided the Flames with some additional cap flexibility, which could prove valuable as the season progresses.
On the other side of the trade, the Canucks saw Zadorov as a valuable addition to their defensive lineup, particularly in light of an injury to defenseman Carson Soucy. Zadorov’s hard-hitting style and defensive skills were seen as a good fit for the team, and his addition was viewed as addressing a clear area of need for the Canucks.
Overall, the trade was seen as a fair deal for both teams, with the Canucks receiving a solid defenseman and the Flames gaining some future picks. However, some experts were left feeling underwhelmed by the Flames’ return for Zadorov, suggesting that it may not have been the best deal they could have made.
In the end, the trade left both teams with mixed grades, with the Canucks receiving a B-plus and the Flames receiving a C-minus, according to some experts. Despite the differing perspectives on the trade, it remains to be seen how Zadorov’s addition will impact the Canucks and whether the draft picks acquired by the Flames will pay off in the long run.