Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov aren’t a package deal. The first two times the Swedish center and the Russian defenseman came together were simple coincidences.
After five seasons to start his career in Carolina, Lindholm was traded to Calgary in 2018. Zadorov joined him there when he signed with the Flames as a free agent in 2022. Both players were traded to the Canucks in separate deals during the season last year.
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But even before both headed to free agency this summer, Lindholm and Zadorov talked about becoming Bruins.
“We’ve talked a little bit, obviously. You’re trying to keep it low-key a little bit between you and your family, your agent, but I mean, we were actually joking around last year,” Zadorov admitted. “We played the Bruins early (saying) ‘That it would be a great place to play here together.’ But I mean it worked out perfect. I’m excited. Our third team together the past four years and, hopefully, the next six years as well.”
Zadorov raved about what Lindholm brings to a team.
“He’s unbelievable… He can like just show that he can do everything. PK, first power play, he’s a first-line centerman, he’s gonna complement his wingers, he’s an unbelievable teammate,” Zadorov said. “He’s the guy who’s gonna go out there and compete every night, and he wants to win as much as I want. So that’s definitely an exciting time for us to come to the Bruins and hopefully try to win something.”
“He’s not a flashy guy, but I think he does everything right. So people love the players who play the right way all the time,” Zadorov continued. “He’s not going to cheat for offense because he doesn’t want to give up something defensively. He complements his wingers really well, so if you put him in the right situation to succeed, he’s gonna be unbelievable for sure. And I think that’s the plan in here.”
Lindholm returned his past and future teammate’s praise.
“Yeah, I mean we’ve been following each other,” he said. “It’s exciting, obviously, coming to a new team like this and everything is so new, so it’s always nice to have another guy that you’ve been around and know kind of well. So I mean, for him I think the way he ended the season there in Vancouver, he can bring a lot. Just knowing his presence is big body out there, as the opposing team you always need to be aware. So it’s a really good fit for us.”
