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3 Defenseman to Give the Toronto Maple Leafs Some Depth

By Jeremy Ridgewell

Sep 25, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman John Klingberg (3) skates against the Ottawa Senators during the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman John Klingberg (3) skates against the Ottawa Senators during the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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(Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) /

Nikita Zadorov

Nikita Zadorov is a 6’6, 248-pound left-shooting defenseman from Moscow, Russia.

He was drafted in the 1st round of the 2013 NHL draft by the Buffalo Sabres with the 16th overall pick.

The 28-year-old defenseman is currently playing for the Calgary Flames. He has one year left on his contract, which carries a $3.75 million cap hit.

It’s another cap hit that Treliving and the Leafs should be able to manage. Zadorov can play plenty of minutes and is well-known to Treliving. Treliving was the GM in Calgary before taking the Leafs GM job this past summer.

Zadorov’s average ice time this season is 18:13 through six games. He has seven blocked shots, 12 hits, one takeaway, one giveaway, and two assists this season.

Last season, Zadorov finished with 14 goals and seven assists for 21 points in 82 games. He also registered 75 blocked shots, 174 hits, 31 takeaways, and 57 giveaways. His giveaway numbers are a bit concerning, but they haven’t seemed to diminish his overall defensive play.

Like Middleton, Zadorov could be a solid physical  addition to the lineup and would likely help the team as long as his minutes were somewhat sheltered. His physical presence on the ice would be a welcomed addition.

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