Nikita Zadorov Walks Away From The Vancouver Canucks

Getting something done to retain Nikita Zadorov seemed to be a proposition that was always on thin ice ever since the offseason hit for the Vancouver Canucks. The demands were thought to be out of the Canucks' budget range. Now, GM Patrik Allvin has made it official: He will not be re-signing the big d-man, after Zadorov turned down their last offer.

Nikita Zadorov will not be re-signing with the Canucks, GM Patrik Allvin announced Friday. pic.twitter.com/bwyKnCv3V2
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 28, 2024

Allvin worked hard at trying to hammer out a deal with Zadorov, and they are rumoured to have offered $4.7 million over five years, but the big 6'6" defender had even bigger plans for his next deal.

"I can't overpay one single player and Nikita Zadorov was extremely good for us in the playoffs and a character guy," says Patrik Allvin.

"We did our best and he decided that he wanted to go somewhere else." #Canucks
— Noah Strang (@noahstrang_) June 28, 2024

"I can't overpay one single player and Nikita Zadorov was extremely good for us in the playoffs and a character guy," said Allvin today. "We did our best and he decided that he wanted to go somewhere else."

That somewhere else could be Toronto, as the Maple Leafs have him high on their most-wanted list this offseason, or Dallas, if the Stars aren't able to retain their own pending UFA Chris Tanev.

After being acquired by the Canucks, Zadorov recorded 14 points and handed out 124 punishing hits in 54 games, in 17:04 of ice time per night. He was an even bigger force in the playoffs, upping his playing time to 20 minutes a game, and delivering 45 hits in 13 contests.

AFP Analytics had the 29-year-old pegged for a 5-year free agent deal at just north of $5 million AAV in their projections.