Latest news with #NikitaZadorov
National Post
3 days ago
- Business
- National Post
FLAMES RETOOL TRACKER: When does Rasmus Andersson's future get sorted out?
Article content For teams around the league, Andersson's low-cost contract — he's only getting paid $4.55-million US next season — will make him an attractive option. That's especially true for teams who wanted to make a splash in free agency, but couldn't get their guy. Article content For the Flames, a deal in the summer also mitigates any risk of Andersson getting hurt and losing all his trade value in-season. Remember, this is a player who finished fourth in the NHL in blocked shots in 2024-25. Article content Dealing Andersson in the summer would also provide some clarity on the roster and avoid season-long questions about his future, so if the right deal comes along before training camp it might make a lot of sense to take it. Article content February 1 Article content Admittedly, Feb. 1 is a bit of an arbitrary day to choose here, but the point is that the Flames don't necessarily need to wait until the trade deadline to deal Andersson in-season. Article content Remember, as an example, that they moved Elias Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks on Feb. 1, 2023, after they were offered a package they liked in return. That same season, Nikita Zadorov was traded in early December and Chris Tanev was dealt a week before the deadline. Article content It's a matter of when the right offer comes in, not necessarily about holding on to your player until the last possible minute. Article content In an ideal world, Andersson has a great start to the season, gets selected to represent Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics and his value is at an all-time high when the Flames look to trade him. Article content Early March/Trade Deadline Article content If a new contract hasn't been agreed on and Andersson hasn't been dealt, the Flames will be hoping for a bidding war as the league's contenders look to load up for long playoff runs. It's likely where the best deal will materialize, but waiting this long definitely carries risks. Article content For one thing, if the Flames can replicate the success they found in 2024-25 and are still in the playoff mix, it could be awkward to trade away a locker room leader and one of their top stars. As we mentioned earlier, there's always the risk of injury, too. Article content Article content With that said, Andersson is going to be an attractive trade chip and teams get desperate around deadline time when their rivals start adding weapons to their roster. The rewards could absolutely be worth the risk. Article content
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bruins Hit Latest Low In Brutal Loss To Lightning
The Boston Bruins have fallen back down to Earth big time. After winning each of their first two games following the trade deadline, the Bruins have lost back-to-back games. However, their latest loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 15 was a new low for the Original Six club. The Bruins notably did not record a single shot on goal during the second period in their loss against the Lightning. In addition, their offensive attack was poor throughout the matchup, as they finished the contest with just 12 shots. The Lightning, on the other hand, completely dominated the play, ending the night with 40 shots. It is very uncommon for an NHL club to finish a period with zero shots, so this is only the latest embarrassing moment for the Bruins in what has been a disastrous 2024-25 season for them. It has also come when the Bruins are desperately looking to move up the wild card standings and secure a playoff spot. However, with this ugly loss, the Bruins are now four points behind the New York Rangers for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Bruins now have 14 games left this season to try to end the campaign on a high note. Their next game is on March 17 against the Buffalo Sabres, and it will be interesting to see how they respond following their ugly loss to the Lightning from here. Recent Bruins News Bruins Provide Latest Injury Update On Charlie McAvoy Bruins Recently-Waived Forward Thriving With Providence New Bruins Forward Looking To Stay Hot Nikita Zadorov Beats Up Sam Bennett In Bruins' Big Win Brad Marchand Talks Potential Off-Season Bruins Return New Bruins Defender Henri Jokiharju Has Golden Opportunity Former Bruins Star Linus Ullmark Has Monster Performance
New York Times
12-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Bruins punch back after roster-wrecking deadline: ‘Play for the crest'
BOSTON — The 2024-25 Boston Bruins may be done and dusted. They have a mountain to climb to scrape into the playoffs. Their general manager smashed their roster before the trade deadline and ripped out the captain and heartbeat of their team. But future iterations may look at Tuesday's 3-2 comeback win over the Florida Panthers and identify an important point of resistance the franchise insisted on making. The Bruins are fighters, unwilling to cede everything their predecessors have built. Advertisement 'There's a lot of guys who play with their pride and they play with their heart,' said Nikita Zadorov, who fought Sam Bennett in the final seconds of the win. 'They try to prove something, either to themselves or management or fans or teammates. We play for something. That's what I see. All the guys, since Friday, been showing up ready to work, ready to play their balls off and play for the crest. 'There's no quit on this team. We're going to keep pushing until the end.' It would have been understandable for the Bruins to fold. They were down 2-0 to the defending Stanley Cup champions in the third period. Brad Marchand was back at TD Garden, wearing a Panthers jersey during the morning skate. Brandon Carlo, Charlie Coyle, Trent Frederic and Justin Brazeau are elsewhere. But David Pastrnak kicked off the rally with a third-period power-play goal. Mason Lohrei followed it up with the tying strike from the slot. Then with 3:17 remaining in regulation, Pavel Zacha reeled in a Pastrnak feed and snapped the winner past Sergei Bobrovsky. For a team dealt repeated gut punches before the trade deadline, the win felt bigger than 2 points. 'We're battling for each other in this room,' Jeremy Swayman (26 saves) said. 'That's all we care about — the guys in this room. I just couldn't be more proud of the guys, the way their effort is and the way we're competing as a team.' The goal of the Bruins' final charge is to bank points and make the playoffs. But they also have a bigger objective in mind. They are embarking on the first steps of a rebuild that nobody wanted to begin. Part of that process is to determine who are foxhole guys, hands raised to dig in when belief barely exists. Zadorov made it known he wants to be part of the fix. This has not been an easy transition for the first-year Bruin. Zadorov has tried to expand his game, sometimes beyond its boundaries, amid the injury to Hampus Lindholm and underperformance across the roster. He is at his best when he stands his ground, defends with his sticks and leans on opponents. Advertisement Zadorov led the Bruins with 22:48 of ice time. With 3.3 seconds left, when Bennett came at Zadorov too high, the strongman responded with a timely throwdown. 'The guy cross-checks me in the face,' Zadorov said. 'I've got to step up for myself. I think it was just a hockey moment out there. It wasn't really (that) I was thinking to send a message or anything like this. I play hard against any player in the league.' Andrew Peeke, elevated following Carlo's departure, played 19:55, including a team-high 3:05 on the penalty kill. Casey Mittelstadt, the primary return in the Coyle trade, set up Pastrnak's power-play goal. Lohrei looks like a keeper, mostly for his power-play touch but also for his five-on-five ability to make in-tight plays. 'We believe in here,' Lohrei said. 'We're going to show up every day, go to work and just try and get 2 points every night.' But the team belongs to Pastrnak. He is the only player wearing a letter. Before each of the last two games, Pastrnak was first in line behind Swayman leading his teammates onto the ice. It is where he will stay. Pastrnak was always the Bruins' best player this season. But now he is the pulse. It is Pastrnak's job to inspire his teammates with his skill and energy. In the room, Pastrnak's voice is growing. 'Seamless transition,' Swayman said of seeing Pastrnak emerge following Marchand's exit. 'He's been so good and just a natural leader. He's had success in this league for so long because he's been around such high-quality leaders. Now him taking that step of using the tools he's learned and augmenting it to his game and the guys in this locker room. It's really good to see. Ton of kudos to him for the way he's done it gracefully and just taking it with open arms. 'It's not an easy ask. He's done a really good job of it so far.' (Top photo of Nikita Zadorov: Winslow Townson / Imagn Images)
