Will Nikita Zadorov stay in Vancouver or test the open market?

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Nikita Zadorov saw his stock rise throughout the latter half of the season and the 2024 Stanely Cup playoffs.

Today on Daily Faceoff Live, Frank Seravalli chimes in on the latest rumbling surrounding a Zadorov extension.

Tyler Yaremchuk: Some rumblings over the weekend so let’s start out in Vancouver with talks about a Nikita Zadorov extension. Smoke, fire or false alarm?

Frank Seravalli: Smoke. I don’t think it’s fire just yet because the Zadorov camp is pretty confident they can get a nice deal on the open market. However, I do think the Canucks are working multiple angles at once. You heard Rick Tocchet talk about Zadorov and his impact throughout the playoffs, he talked about how he was a breath of fresh in the locker room, talked about his physicality, and obviously the size is something he is a big believer in considering how much Myers and Zadorov played.

Frank Seravalli: So he’s a believer in all of these things and I would think that weighs heavily on Allvn and Rutherford. I don’t think they were all that close in the first go around at this but if they continue to talk and try and find a solution, because there is a bit of a game of chicken here, you better be darn sure whatever you think you can get on the open market is exactly what it is.