Bruins: Nikita Zadorov Healthy Scratch Sparks Trade Talk

Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov was a healthy scratch for Boston's 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night, a disciplinary decision by head coach Marco Sturm after Zadorov took costly penalties in Anaheim. Zadorov's agent, Dan Milstein, then fueled talk on social media on October 18 by replying to a fan who said Zadorov would not be treated this way in Toronto, writing, "No he would not."





Why was Nikita Zadorov a healthy scratch against the Kings?


Boston Bruins head coach Marco Sturm scratched Nikita Zadorov for the Los Angeles Kings game for discipline, per reports. Zadorov took three minor penalties in Friday night's game against the Anaheim Ducks, including two consecutive minors on the same play, and Sturm told reporters the penalties were a direct cause of the scratch.


Zadorov, 31, has three assists in Boston's first eight games this season. Zadorov has also taken 29 penalty minutes in those eight games, among the highest totals in the NHL, after leading the league in penalty minutes last season.


Jonathan Aspirot entered the Boston Bruins lineup in place of Nikita Zadorov against Los Angeles. The Boston Bruins still beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-1 at Crypto.com Arena, with Jeremy Swayman making 25 saves and David Pastrnak and Marat Khusnutdinov each scoring a goal.





What did Marco Sturm say about the Zadorov decision?


Marco Sturm said Nikita Zadorov needs to be smarter and more disciplined on the ice for the Boston Bruins. Sturm said he believes there is another level in Zadorov's game and that the Boston Bruins have a high standard for every player, no matter his role or contract.


Zadorov is in the third year of a six-year contract worth $5 million annually with the Boston Bruins. Zadorov is valued by the Boston Bruins for his size and physical play, but that physical edge has also put the Boston Bruins on the penalty kill too often early this season.


The decision came on the second night of a back-to-back, with Pavel Zacha also out against Los Angeles with an upper-body injury and Fraser Minten moving to center Boston's top line.





What did Zadorov's agent say, and is a trade likely?


Nikita Zadorov's agent, Dan Milstein, replied on social media on October 18 after a fan said Zadorov would not be treated this way in Toronto. Milstein wrote, "No he would not," per reports, a short reply that quickly fueled Bruins Zadorov trade rumors involving the Toronto Maple Leafs.


There is no reported trade request from Nikita Zadorov and no reported trade talks between the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Milstein is known for engaging with fans on social media, and a one-game disciplinary scratch for a 7-2 Boston Bruins team should be read as a coaching message first, not as proof that a trade is coming.





What is next for Nikita Zadorov and the Boston Bruins?


The Boston Bruins play the Dallas Stars in Dallas on Tuesday night, with puck drop set for 8 p.m. ET on NESN. The key question for Boston Bruins fans is whether Nikita Zadorov returns to the lineup in Dallas and how Zadorov responds to Marco Sturm's discipline message.


Boston is 7-2 and has won five straight games, including the California sweep over Anaheim and Los Angeles. If Zadorov returns and stays out of the penalty box, the scratch will likely be a short reset.


Frequently Asked Questions


Why was Nikita Zadorov scratched against the Kings?

Nikita Zadorov was a healthy scratch against the Los Angeles Kings because head coach Marco Sturm wanted better discipline after Zadorov took three minor penalties against the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night, per reports.


Did Nikita Zadorov request a trade from the Bruins?

No. There is no report that Nikita Zadorov requested a trade. Zadorov's agent, Dan Milstein, only replied "No he would not" on social media to a fan comment about Toronto, per reports.


When do the Bruins play next?

The Boston Bruins play the Dallas Stars in Dallas on Tuesday night. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. ET on NESN.


Sources:

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins/game-day/breaking-zacha-injured-zadorov-healthy-scratched-against-kings

https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/agent_responds_to_zadorov_scratch_by_bruins_with_trade_tease_to_maple_leafs/s1_16454_44443424

https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/bruins-beat-kings-4-1-sweep-california-road-trip

Location: Boston, MA, USA

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