Vancouver hockey insider Rick Dhaliwal provided updates on Thursday about a pair of Vancouver Canucks defencemen set to become unrestricted free agents this summer.
Speaking on Thursday’s edition of the Donnie & Dhali show on CHEK TV, Dhaliwal indicated that there have not been any contract talks as of yet between the Canucks and pending UFA defenceman Nikita Zadorov.
The Canucks acquired Zadorov from the Calgary Flames in exchange for two draft picks earlier this season. The 28-year-old defender currently makes $3.75 million per season but, as Dhaliwal indicated, handedness could come into play if the Canucks have to pick between signing Zadorov or Tyler Myers.
“There’s been no contract talks between the Canucks and Nikita Zadorov, who has played really well in the past three weeks,” Dhaliwal said. “I told you, they’re going to try to re-sign Myers. What’s the biggest difference between Myers and Zadorov? Righty, lefty. That’s all you need to know, folks.
“Although agent Dan Milstein is a little bit surprised the Canucks haven’t called yet, he’s not worried,” Dhaliwal added. “On July 1, Zadorov will have no shortage of teams after him, Donnie, mark my words. He will get his term, he will get his money. If it’s not from Vancouver, he’ll get it on July 1. Take it to the bank.”
"There's been no contract talks between the #Canucks and Nikita Zadorov.."@DhaliwalSports updated where things stand between the #Canucks and pending UFA defenseman Nikita Zadorov and Ian Cole.https://t.co/h4e2SKM7eJ pic.twitter.com/Apo0Su9oZ4
— Donnie & Dhali (@DonnieandDhali) March 14, 2024
Dhaliwal also commented on the status of Ian Cole, who signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Canucks on July 1 and just turned 35 last month.
“Another guy: Ian Cole is a UFA and I’m hearing that he would love to sign back in Vancouver,” Dhaliwal said. “The Canucks love what he brings to the table. I’ve been told no word on talks yet, I don’t think there’s been hot and heavy talks there … but here’s the great thing for the Canucks, Don: everybody wants to come back.”
Dealing with Zadorov, Cole, and Myers will be small potatoes for the Canucks compared to the looming situation involving Filip Hronek, who is a pending RFA due a sizeable raise on his current $4.4 million cap hit.
The Canucks will return to action on Saturday night to take on the Washington Capitals at 7:00 p.m. PT.
