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Zadorov still negotiating

July 10, 2017, 3:00 PM ET [52 Comments]
Rick Sadowski
Colorado Avalanche Blogger •Avalanche Insider • RSSArchiveCONTACT
You've all heard by now of the report that Nikita Zadorov apparently has some sort of agreement with CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League and is waiting on the Avalanche to increase their offer before deciding which way to go this season.

I believe the Avalanche eventually will sign the 22-year-old defenseman, who is a restricted free agent, to a new contract.

I'm guessing something is lost in the following translation (courtesy of Twitter), but Zadorov says in the following Russian-based Sport Express interview that he's agreed to a two-year contract with the Avalanche, but is seeking more money. Shocking, I know.

Here's the financial part of the interview, with the reporter's questions followed by Zadorov's answers:

But still, and you do not have a contract with the "Colorado."

- It's true. Negotiations are underway, I kept in touch with an agent. There are some contradictions.

- What?

- I will not disclose the progress of the negotiations, called the sum. But we agreed deadline.

- It will be a long contract?

- This is the so-called "bridge". Period - two years.

- There were rumors that you can go back to Russia.

- I'm waiting for solutions from "Colorado". For myself, I decided that he was prepared to wait until the end of July. But I want stability. If we do not agree, then I will play for CSKA .

Here's the full ZADOROV INTERVIEW. Make sure to click on the "translation" button in the upper right corner (unless you can read Russian!)

The 6-5, 220-pound Zadorov made his share of mistakes last season, but he also had plenty of moments when he looked like he will eventually develop into the real thing, a legitimate NHL defenseman with a long career ahead of him.

Zadorov, in his second season with the Avalanche, had 10 assists, 73 penalty minutes, 69 blocked shots, a minus-20 rating and a team-leading 153 hits in 56 games while averaging 19:02 in ice time.

He missed the final 25 games after sustaining a broken ankle Feb. 20 in a collision with Mikko Rantanen during practice.

A first-round pick (No. 16) of Buffalo in the 2013 NHL draft, Zadorov was acquired by the Avalanche on June 26, 2015 with Mikhail Grigorenko, the rights to J.T. Compher and a 2015 second-round pick for Ryan O'Reilly and Jamie McGinn.

The Avalanche traded the pick (No. 31) to San Jose for the No. 39 pick (A.J. Greer), a 2016 second-round pick (Cameron Morrison), and a 2017 seventh-round pick (Nick Leivermann).

The Avalanche didn't tender a qualifying offer to Grigorenko, who thereby became an unrestricted free agent and has signed with CSKA.



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