Bruins: Nikita Zadorov Benching Response Defends His Physical Style

Nikita Zadorov spoke publicly on Monday for the first time since the Boston Bruins made him a healthy scratch, calling the benching disappointing while defending the physical style that keeps sending him to the penalty box. The veteran defenseman addressed reporters in Dallas, where the Boston Bruins practiced at American Airlines Center ahead of Tuesday night's game against the Dallas Stars.



What did Nikita Zadorov say about being benched?


Nikita Zadorov did not hide his frustration with the Boston Bruins' decision. "Obviously, when you have 900 games in this league and 14 years, you don't want to be in this situation and you feel disappointed, you feel disgusted about it," Zadorov said, per reports from Dallas. "But at the end of the day, it's a business, so you've just got to move on."


Zadorov also defended the edge in his game. "I'm emotionally invested on and off the ice," Zadorov said. "So, when I go out there, I will die for any of my teammates and this logo that's on my chest. That's what I play for, I play for the pride." He pushed back on the idea that his penalties are selfish, saying teammates past and present would say he has never been a selfish player, and he noted that the Bruins brought him to Boston to play that physical brand of hockey.



Why did Marco Sturm scratch Zadorov against the Kings?


Boston Bruins head coach Marco Sturm made Nikita Zadorov a healthy scratch for Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Kings, one night after Zadorov took extra penalties in Friday's 4-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks. The sequence against Anaheim forward Frank Vatrano drew an additional minor while Boston trailed 2-1, and Sturm said Zadorov's discipline on the ice needs to improve.


Sturm still praised his defenseman. Sturm called Zadorov a tremendous player and leader for the Boston Bruins, said Zadorov was not happy with the decision, and said he believes the scratch will make Zadorov stronger and better. Jonathan Aspirot took Zadorov's spot in the lineup against the Los Angeles Kings, and the Bruins won 4-1 to complete a California sweep and extend their winning streak to five games.


The numbers explain Sturm's concern. Nikita Zadorov penalty minutes are a team-high 29 through eight games, the second-highest total in the NHL, and Zadorov led the NHL in penalty minutes in each of the last two seasons. The Boston Bruins as a team entered Monday leading the league in penalty minutes, per reports.



Will Nikita Zadorov play against the Stars on Tuesday?


That is the open question in Dallas. At Monday's practice at American Airlines Center, Nikita Zadorov did not skate as part of the Boston Bruins' top six defensemen, but Marco Sturm told reporters not to read too much into the practice lines as a preview of Tuesday night's lineup against the Dallas Stars.


Jonathan Aspirot played well against the Los Angeles Kings, which gives Sturm a real choice on the blue line. A final decision on Zadorov is expected before puck drop on Tuesday, when the Boston Bruins close their road trip against the Dallas Stars before returning home to face the Nashville Predators on Thursday, October 22.



Frequently asked questions


Why was Nikita Zadorov a healthy scratch against the Kings?

Boston Bruins coach Marco Sturm scratched Nikita Zadorov for discipline reasons after Zadorov took extra penalties against the Anaheim Ducks on Friday. Sturm said Zadorov's discipline on the ice needs to be smarter.


How many penalty minutes does Nikita Zadorov have this season?

Nikita Zadorov has 29 penalty minutes through eight games, the highest total on the Boston Bruins and the second-highest total in the NHL. Zadorov led the NHL in penalty minutes in each of the last two seasons.


When do the Bruins play the Dallas Stars?

The Boston Bruins play the Dallas Stars on Tuesday, October 20 at American Airlines Center in Dallas. It is the final game of Boston's road trip before a home game against the Nashville Predators on October 22.


Sources:

https://heavy.com/sports/nhl/boston-bruins/nikita-zadorov-disgusted-being-scratched/

https://causewaycrowd.com/boston-bruins-nikita-zadorov-kings-benching

https://985thesportshub.com/2026/10/18/bruins-sturm-healthy-scratch-nikita-zadorov/

Location: Boston, MA, USA

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