Since the playoffs started, Nikita Zadorov has arguably been the Canucks' top defenceman in terms of defending, clutch plays and momentum-changing hits.
Acquired for a very low price earlier this season, the Big Z is at the end of a contract and will be hitting free agency, with full autonomy, on July 1st. Unless Allvin comes through and inks him to an extension before then. Given the way he's played since joining the Canucks, on top of his playoff performance, it's hard to imagine the Canucks as dominant without him on their line-up.
Frank Seravalli, the NHL insider, was on Canucks army earlier and addressed the Canucks situation in regards to their big number 91. According to his intel and his analysis of the situation, he believes that Zadorov is looking at a $36M deal over the next 6 years:
Zadorov has been an absolute force since coming to Vancouver; there's no argument there; a 6-year deal would link the defenseman to the Canucks until the moment he turns 35 in 2030, with a $6M AAV. Given that the salary cap is about to go up, it may not be that big of a stretch and in no way should it be compared to the deal Jim Benning offered Tyler Myers a few years back.
With the Canucks salary cap stature, Oliver Ekman Larsson's buy out and the fact that Quinn Hughes, Brock Boeser and Thatcher Demko will all be looking at new deals over the next 3 years. Allvin should be wary of how he spends his money. Given the way Zadorov handles himself under pressure and due to the fact that he seems to love Vancouver, would you sign him to this deal?
