Nikita Zadorov was traded to the Vancouver Canucks by the Calgary Flames on Thursday.
Calgary received a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft that Vancouver originally acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks.
The 28-year-old defenseman has six points (one goal, five assists) in 21 games this season, averaging 18:24 of ice time per game. He has 21 points (14 goals, seven assists) in 82 games in 2022-23.
Vancouver is expected to be without defenseman Carson Soucy for another 4-6 weeks due to a lower-body injury after he blocked a left-footed shot in a 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens on November 12. Right-handed defender Mark Friedman played on the left side in Soucy’s absence.
The Canucks (15-7-1) visit the Flames (9-10-3) on Saturday.
“Do I think we need another defender? I think we can get some help late in the game, yes,” Vancouver general manager Patrik Allvin said Wednesday.
Zadorov can become an unrestricted free agent after this season. First round pick (16th) of the Buffalo Sabres, he totaled 132 points (42 goals, 90 assists) in 588 regular season games with the Sabres, Colorado Avalanche, Blackhawks and Flames. He has 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 45 Stanley Cup playoff games.
“First of all, I would like to thank Nikita for his commitment to the Flames and his professionalism throughout this process,” said Flames general manager Craig Conroy. “Our hockey operations group works every day to find opportunities that make our team better today and for the future. This trade provides us with significant draft assets, cap space and the opportunity for another of our young prospects to prove himself in the NHL.
\NHL.com freelance correspondent Kevin Woodley contributed to this report\
