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No deal for Zadorov, will test free agent market: Canucks GM

91ƵWe did our best and he decided he wanted to go somewhere else91Ƶ
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Vancouver Canucks91Ƶ Nikita Zadorov celebrates with teammates after his goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, in Vancouver, on Friday, May 10, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Vancouver Canucks defenceman Nikita Zadorov appears to be headed to the free agent market.

The team has been trying to reach a new deal with the bruising Russian blue liner since the end of the season, but have reached an impasse, Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said Friday.

91ƵI can91Ƶt overpay one single player,91Ƶ he said. 91ƵAnd Nikita Zadorov was extremely good for us in the playoffs and a character guy. We did our best and he decided he wanted to go somewhere else.91Ƶ

The NHL91Ƶs free agency period begins Monday.

Vancouver acquired Zadorov from the Flames on Nov. 30, sending Calgary a fifth-round pick in this year91Ƶs draft and a third-round selection in 2026 in exchange.

The 29-year-old defenceman contributed five goals and nine assists across 54 regular-season games for Vancouver, then added another four goals, four assists in 13 playoff appearances.

Drafted 16th overall by Buffalo in 2013, Zadorov has played for the Canucks, Flames, Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks and Colorado Avalanche over 11 seasons. He has 47 goals and 99 assists in 642 games.

His current contract carries an average-annual value of $3.75 million.

91ƵFor us, it91Ƶs just not about each individual. It91Ƶs about getting a team that91Ƶs competitive and fitting the puzzles in,91Ƶ Allvin said. 91ƵWe did our best and we can91Ƶt go any further.91Ƶ

Allvin and his staff have been busy in recent days, inking three pending unrestricted free agents to new deals and moving another player to open up cap space.

Vancouver agreed to a two-year, US$3.6 million contract with depth forward Teddy Blueger on Wednesday, then shipped winger Ilya Mikheyev to the Chicago Blackhawks in a separate transaction later in the day.

On Thursday, the Canucks signed veteran defenceman Tyler Myers to a three-year contract with an average-annual value of $3 million and big winger Dakota Joshua to a four-year deal with a $3.25 million AAV.

Re-signing players from last year91Ƶs squad was important to Vancouver91Ƶs coaching staff, Allvin said.

91ƵWe want players that are committed and want to be part of a winning team and a winning culture,91Ƶ the GM said.

Vancouver is expected to be one of the teams looking to add a big name to its roster in free agency on Monday.

In addition to losing Zadorov, the Canucks also appear poised to part ways with Elias Lindholm.

Vancouver acquired the 29-year-old Swedish centre in a blockbuster deal with the Flames on Jan. 31. The trade saw Vancouver send Calgary forward Andrei Kuzmenko, prospects Hunter Brzustewicz and Joni Jurmo, and a first-round pick in this year91Ƶs draft.

Lindholm struggled to find his offensive touch after the trade, putting up just six points and six assists in 26 regular-season appearances for Vancouver, but came alive in the playoffs where he scored five goals and five assists in 13 games.

Allvin was coy, however, when asked on Friday exactly what position he91Ƶs looking to fill.

91ƵWe91Ƶve all seen lists of players potentially hitting the market, but they might be just a phone call away from signing with their clubs and they91Ƶre off that list,91Ƶ he said. 91ƵSo definitely looking at options to improve our team and get better.91Ƶ

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