Nikita Zadorov

BIOGRAPHY

Nikita Zadorov was born in April 16, 1995 in Moscow, Russia. He is a defenseman in the National Hockey League.

Zadorov was selected with the Buffalo Sabres's second first-round pick, 16th overall, in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Zadorov attended his first rookie and NHL training camp and after his third pre-season contest he was signed by the Sabres to a three-year, entry-level contract on 26 September 2013. Under the assessment of head coach Ron Rolston, he made the Sabres' opening night roster to begin the 2013–14 season. Zadorov sat out the first ten games before he made his NHL debut in a 4–2 defeat to the Colorado Avalanche on 19 October. In just his second game, against the Boston Bruins on 23 October, Zadorov scored on his first shot in the NHL, against Chad Johnson. In so doing, he became the youngest Sabres defenceman in franchise history to achieve the feat.

At the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Zadorov was traded as a central piece by the Sabres to the Colorado Avalanche and was resigned by the club to a one-year, $3.2 million contract. On 10 October 2020, Zadorov's five-year tenure with the Avalanche ended as he was dealt alongside Anton Lindholm to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Brandon Saad and Dennis Gilbert. Prior to the trade, he had accepted his one-year, $3.2 million qualifying offer for the 2020–21 season. In his lone season with the Blackhawks, Zadorov appeared in 55 out of 56 regular season games, registering 1 goal and 8 points from the blueline and was unable to help Chicago return to the playoffs. 

As an impending restricted free agent from the Blackhawks, Zadorov's rights were traded to the Calgary Flames in exchange for a third-round selection in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft on 28 July 2021. On 20 August, Zadorov agreed to terms with the Flames, avoiding arbitration on a one-year, $3.75 million contract.

Zadorov was traded to the Vancouver Canucks prior to the 2023-2024 season.