Newest Bruins Signing Already Turning Himself into a Fan Favorite
By Ryan Bunton
Nikita Zadorov has yet to step on the ice for the Boston Bruins, but he has already begun endearing himself to the Bruins fanbase. Zadorov's physical style of play is tailor-made for the fanbase, but he has already made his mark by being a quote machine during only the first few hours of his Bruins tenure.
Zadorov, commonly called "Big Z" on other teams due to his 6-foot-6 and 250-pound frame, immediately shut down any notion that nickname would follow him to Boston. The Bruins already have their own "Big Z", the six-foot-nine Zdeno Chara, who patrolled the blue line as well for 14 seasons.
Zadorov's gonna be a fan favorite in Boston. When asked if he ever modeled his game after Chara:
— Matt Porter (@mattyports) July 1, 2024
"Please do not ever call me Big Z now ... I'm not even close to half of (Chara)."
Chara, the longest-tenured captain in franchise history, was with the Bruins from 2006-2020 and played 1,023 regular season games and 150 playoff games in the Black & Gold. Chara led the team to a Stanley Cup in 2011 and regularly received votes for the Norris Trophy as the best defenseman in the NHL. In fairness to Zadorov, Chara's three-inch height advantage allows him to retain the "Big Z" nickname over the new Bruin. Rules are rules.
Zadorov's mission to endear himself to his new fanbase didn't stop with his homage to Chara, however. The Russian has also taken notice of Boston's prowess in collecting titles in the four major sports.
Zadorov on joining a market like Boston:
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) July 1, 2024
"It's probably the best sports city in the United States."
"It's a city of winners. ... They expect you to win every year. ... I think it's a perfect place for me and I'll fit right in for me."
With the Celtics' 2024 NBA Finals win, Boston has won 13 titles since 2000. Notably, and probably not lost on Zadorov, the Bruins are now the only Boston team not to capture multiple titles since the turn of the century. That is definitely a fact that he will be looking to change.
For Bruins fans, rumblings of potential interest in Zadorov didn't pick up steam until the last few days on the eve of free agency. How long has Zadorov been interested in Boston, though? His whole life, apparently.
Zadorov: "It was a no-brainer for me when I heard the Bruins were interested."
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) July 1, 2024
"I think Boston was at the top of my list my whole life."
So Zadorov reveres a Bruins legend, rates the city as "probably the best sports city in the United States", and has wanted to be a Bruin for his whole life? And all of that within hours of signing in Boston? This man was born to be a Bruin.
More Bruins news and rumors:
feed