The Vancouver Canucks addressed a pressing need by acquiring defenseman Nikita Zadorov from the Calgary Flames on Wednesday in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

Canuck Nation filled social media with positive reviews on the trade as the deal not only surprised Canuck fans but people around the league as well.

I talked to one NHL executive from an Eastern Conference team who was shocked that the Canucks landed Zadorov.

害羞草研究所淔irst off, I害羞草研究所檓 shocked Calgary traded him this early. I害羞草研究所檓 shocked that they also traded him within the division and I害羞草研究所檓 shocked that they settled for what they did,害羞草研究所� the individual told me.

Zadorov gives the Canucks some badly needed depth on the back end and 害羞草研究所� at 6害羞草研究所� 6害羞草研究所� and 250 pounds 害羞草研究所� some size as well.

He will also bring an element of skill according to Canucks defenseman Ian Cole, who was a teammate of Zadorov害羞草研究所檚 in Colorado during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons.

害羞草研究所淶 is a very good player. He was my D-partner for at least a full year if not longer and we played really well together. He害羞草研究所檚 a big dude, he害羞草研究所檚 thick and he skates well. He害羞草研究所檚 got good skills and he has good offensive instincts for being a more defensive guy. He害羞草研究所檚 a monster out there. When he害羞草研究所檚 playing well, he害羞草研究所檚 a huge asset to a team. He害羞草研究所檚 going to be really good for us and a guy we can rely on going forward. It害羞草研究所檚 just a really good addition to this puzzle,害羞草研究所� said Cole after the Canucks lost 4-1 to the Vegas Golden Knights Thursday night at Rogers Arena.

Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet was also thrilled to have the 28-year-old Russian join the hockey club.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e really excited. He害羞草研究所檚 a big guy who can skate and shoot. I talked to him an hour before the game and he害羞草研究所檚 really excited to come here. I think our environment can really help him and I害羞草研究所檓 sure he害羞草研究所檚 going to be fired up to play,害羞草研究所� noted Tocchet in his post-game media availability session.

Zadorov害羞草研究所檚 arrival also gives Tocchet some more flexibility in managing minutes for his blue line. That has become an issue with the absence of defenseman Carson Soucy, who is expected to be out another five to seven weeks with a lower body injury.

害羞草研究所淲e need minutes. We害羞草研究所檙e playing some other guys too much and you can tell it害羞草研究所檚 starting to wear down our defense, so he害羞草研究所檚 a much-needed guy. It害羞草研究所檚 a great trade for us,害羞草研究所� added Tocchet.

As for the loss to Vegas, the Canucks were outclassed by the defending Stanley Cup champions.

The Golden Knights combination of speed and skill posed problems for the Canucks 害羞草研究所� especially on a night where Vancouver didn害羞草研究所檛 bring their 害羞草研究所楢害羞草研究所� game.

害羞草研究所淚 thought we had nine or 10 guys that played hard and played well tonight. We just had some guys that really had tough nights 害羞草研究所� coverage-wise (and some) going the wrong way at the wrong time. I don害羞草研究所檛 think the coaches really have to say anything to these guys. We didn害羞草研究所檛 talk to them after the game - they know. Some guys have got to be better. In 48 hours we have a game against Calgary and hopefully some of those guys can find their legs and find a better game for us,害羞草研究所� said Tocchet.

OVERTIME:

* The Golden Knights were led by Jack Eichel, who recorded a goal and two assists in his 500th NHL game. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Vegas.

* In his second game back since being benched for a pair of games, Andrei Kuzmenko scored the Canucks lone goal of the game and impressed Tocchet in the process. 害羞草研究所淗is third period is the best I害羞草研究所檝e seen (of him) this year. He drove the net and it was nice for him to get a goal,害羞草研究所� said Tocchet.

* CHEK TV害羞草研究所檚 Rick Dhaliwal is reporting that the Canucks are still planning to pursue free-agent defenseman Ethan Bear despite landing Zadorov. Bear is still recuperating from off-season shoulder surgery but would be a welcome depth option as a right-shot d-man.

* The Canucks pre-game notes had Zadorov listed on the roster as #16 - his number with the Flames. I guess someone didn害羞草研究所檛 get the memo that the number is retired for Trevor Linden. Zadorov will wear #91 when he makes his Canucks debut in Calgary on Saturday night.

* To make room on the active roster for Zadorov, the Canucks dispatched defenseman Cole McWard to Abbotsford of the AHL.

* 2019 U.S. Open Women害羞草研究所檚 tennis champion Bianca Andreescu was in attendance at Rogers Arena Thursday night.

Veteran B.C. sports personality Bob 害羞草研究所渢he Moj害羞草研究所� Marjanovich writes twice weekly for Black Press Media.

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