Earlier this offseason, Calgary traded a 2022 third-round draft pick to Chicago for restricted free-agent defenseman Nikita Zadorov. Today, the Flames announced that they signed their newly acquired blueliner to a one-year contract worth $3.75 million.
Nikita Zadorov agrees to one year contract extension with Calgary Flames! #WeAreGoldStar! pic.twitter.com/YB0C9t89rA
— Dan Milstein-Hockey (@HockeyAgent1) August 20, 2021
Beginning his ninth NHL season, Calgary is the fourth organization the 26-year-old Zadorov has played for. Last year, he played 55 games for the Blackhawks, recording one goal, seven assists, and averaging 19:12 of ice-time. In his career, he's posted 23 goals and 60 assists in 411 games.
To some, the one-year deal may appear a bit underwhelming. Of course, whenever you acquire a player via trade, you hope he becomes a piece for the long-term. As much as I would like that to be the case with Zadorov, I'm not convinced that that will be the case.
For me, I am not sold that Zadorov is a defenseman you can consistently count on to be productive in a top-four role. He will likely slot in there to start the season for Calgary. Still, one would imagine the organization hopes that Juuso Valimaki will play his way towards replacing Zadorov as the season progresses.
Signing Zadorov to a one-year deal at a reasonable contract allows the franchise time to see what they have in him and assess where others are in their development. If Zadorov turns into a reliable top-four piece and Valimaki is not showing the Flames what they want to see, they can revisit a more lucrative deal next summer. If he proves to be more of a bottom-pairing defenseman, Calgary can approach a possible extension with a different understanding of the player's "worth."
Signing Zadorov to a one-year deal bestows less risk upon the Flames. Make him prove he deserves something more long-term.