Boston Bruins offseason signings Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov made a splash off the ice on Friday night, throwing the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park before the Boston Red Sox took on the Chicago White Sox. The two former Canucks, fresh off major free-agent deals, showcased their lighter side ahead of the upcoming NHL season.
Lindholm, who signed a seven-year, $54.25 million contract with the Bruins this summer, joined Boston after a strong season, where he cemented his reputation as a reliable two-way centre. Zadorov, a physical defenceman who arrived in Boston after spending time with the Vancouver Canucks, inked a six-year, $30 million deal with the Bruins in the same offseason.
Though not exactly known for their baseball skills, Zadorov, standing at an imposing 6-foot-6 and 248 pounds, felt good about his pitch. “It felt great. Mine was perfect,” Zadorov said in an interview with NESN’s Dave O’Brien and Lou Merloni during the top of the second inning. The Bruins’ towering defenceman showed off his competitive spirit, even off the rink.
Lindholm, a key addition to the Bruins’ forward core, has been known for his scoring prowess. In the 2021-22 season, he notched a career-high 82 points. Though his time with the Canucks was brief, Lindholm contributed 6 goals, 6 assists, and a minus-6 rating over 26 games with Vancouver. Zadorov, known for his defensive strength and physical presence, tallied 5 goals, 9 assists, and a plus-6 rating in 54 games for the Canucks before going on an impressive playoff run.
Both players are currently participating in captain’s practices at Warrior Ice Arena as they prepare for the 2023-24 NHL season, which begins on October 8 when the Bruins face the Florida Panthers. Training camp officially opens on September 18, and with both Lindholm and Zadorov now in Boston, expectations are high for the team’s upcoming campaign.
While their time on the baseball mound was brief, Bruins fans will be eagerly awaiting their contributions on the ice as the new season draws closer.