Nikita
Zadorov
D · BOS · Balanced · Below average
- PAL
- 34
- WAR
- -0.2
- Value
- 20
- PTS
- 22
2025-26№ 262 / 325
Nikita Zadorov (Boston Bruins) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Nikita Zadorov
#91D
Boston Bruins
HEIGHT : 201 cm · WEIGHT : 111 kg · SHOOTS : L
Born : April 15, 1995 · Moscow, Russia
Drafted : 2013 · BUF · round 1, pick #16
Contract : $5,000,000 · 2024-25 → 2029-30 · Standard Contract · UFA · Signing bonus $4,000,000NMC / NTC / M-NTC
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | Boston Bruins | 17 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 64 |
| 2025-26 | Boston Bruins | 81 | 2 | 20 | 22 | 152 |
| 2024-25 | Boston Bruins | 81 | 4 | 18 | 22 | 145 |
| 2023-24 | Vancouver Canucks | 54 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 102 |
| 2023-24 | Calgary Flames | 21 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 23 |
| 2022-23 | Calgary Flames | 82 | 14 | 7 | 21 | 80 |
| 2021-22 | Calgary Flames | 74 | 4 | 18 | 22 | 77 |
| 2020-21 | Chicago Blackhawks | 55 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 36 |
| 2019-20 | Colorado Avalanche | 64 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 65 |
| 2018-19 | Colorado Avalanche | 70 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 75 |
| 2017-18 | Colorado Avalanche | 77 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 103 |
| 2016-17 | Colorado Avalanche | 56 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 73 |
| 2015-16 | Colorado Avalanche | 22 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 12 |
| 2014-15 | Buffalo Sabres | 60 | 3 | 12 | 15 | 51 |
| 2013-14 | Buffalo Sabres | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| NHL totals | 821 | 53 | 142 | 195 | 1062 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Boston Bruins | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 37 |
| 2023-24 | Vancouver Canucks | 13 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 26 |
| 2021-22 | Calgary Flames | 12 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 24 |
| 2019-20 | Colorado Avalanche | 15 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 18 |
| 2018-19 | Colorado Avalanche | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| 2017-18 | Colorado Avalanche | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 32 |
| Playoff totals | 64 | 8 | 12 | 20 | 161 | |
Nikita Zadorov: our analysis
2025-26 season: 81 GP, 2 G, 20 A, 22 PTS, +18 +/-, 20:53 TOI. WAR -0.2 (262nd of 325) · PAL 34, below average.
In 2025-26, Nikita Zadorov, 31, posts a PAL Rating of 34 out of 100 (below average), and his WAR of -0.2 ranks 262nd among 325 regulars, in the bottom quarter.
His strengths: penalty kill (84, well above average) and creation (62, above average). On the other hand, discipline (15, among the weakest in the league) and shooting (18, well below average) hold him back.
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), his biggest contribution: EV offense (+1.2); his biggest cost: penalties (-3.4).
A season in line with 2024-25 (PAL of 33); his WAR went from -0.1 to -0.2.
Contract-wise, his Value score of 20 (very poor return) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Nikita Zadorov's story
Raised in Moscow and developed through the CSKA system, Zadorov moved through the club’s junior ranks before opting to pursue North American hockey. His size combined with surprising mobility drew attention early; he played in the Quebec Pee-Wee tournament and chose the OHL to position himself for the NHL draft.
Joining the London Knights, he quickly assumed heavy minutes on the back end, helping the club to an OHL title and standing out among rookie defensemen. Those showings led to his selection 16th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft and to an entry-level contract that autumn.
Zadorov’s initial NHL stints with Buffalo included a first NHL goal against Boston, followed by further junior seasoning and then a summer 2015 trade that sent him to the Colorado Avalanche. In Colorado he split time between the AHL and NHL early on before cementing a regular role; his 2018–19 campaign was notable for league-leading hit totals and career highs in offensive output. His tenure with the Avalanche also featured significant injuries, including a fractured ankle and later shoulder surgery.
Following five seasons in Colorado, he was traded to Chicago in October 2020, then saw his rights moved to Calgary in July 2021 where he signed a one-year deal. After requesting a trade in November 2023 he was dealt to Vancouver later that month and recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick in March 2024. As a free agent the following summer, he signed a six-year, $30 million contract with the Boston Bruins on 1 July 2024 and began contributing offensively early in the season, including his first goal as a Bruin in November 2024.
On the international stage, Zadorov made his senior debut for Russia at the 2019 IIHF World Championships. His on-ice identity is straightforward: a large, physical defenseman who uses his strength and hitting to impose defensive structure while periodically chipping in offensively.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 19:19
- PP TOI/GP
- 0:05
- SH TOI/GP
- 2:23
- Pts/GP
- 0.29
- EV points
- 5
- Hits
- 52
- Blocks
- 27
- Takeaways
- 2
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 46.7 %
- Off. zone starts
- 27.5 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
22between 11 and 32 (80% range)
- Goals
- 2
- Assists
- 20
- Games
- 81
So far: 5 pts in 17 games. The team has played 18 of 84 games. Projected pace: 0.26 pts per game (last season: 0.27).
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
Trend
Stable
- Points per game: 0.27 in 23-24, 0.27 in 25-26
- PAL Rating: 33 → 34
Outlook, age included
↘ Slight declineAge 31: the age when production usually declines
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
Player ratings, 2025-26
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
OV · OverallConfidence 86 %
78
Established NHL
- SK
- Skating
- 89
- Confidence 73 %
- ST
- Strength
- 90
- Confidence 88 %
- EN
- Endurance
- 77
- Confidence 80 %
- DU
- Durability
- 89
- Confidence 77 %
- CK
- Checking
- 90
- Confidence 88 %
- FG
- Fighting
- 92
- Confidence 66 %
- DI
- Discipline
- 45
- Confidence 88 %
- FO
- Faceoffs
- —
- PA
- Passing
- 72
- Confidence 86 %
- SC
- Scoring
- 68
- Confidence 86 %
- DF
- Defense
- 75
- Confidence 83 %
- PS
- Penalty shot
- 76
- Confidence 0 %
- EX
- Experience
- 90
- Confidence 100 %
Why these ratings?Hide details
SK — Skating89
- Top speed (35 %)37.2 · 95
- Bursts > 20 mph /60 (30 %)2.443 · 81
- Distance /60 (20 %)14.4 · 79
- Speed consistency (15 %)35.7 · 90
ST — Strength90
- Contact absorbed /60 (50 %)4.417 · 69
- Body mass (50 %)2.688 · 97
EN — Endurance77
- Ice time per game (45 %)19.5 · 77
- Total ice time (20 %)1,641 · 82
- Shift length (15 %)46 · 69
- Lowest recent ice time per game (15 %)17 · 73
- Special-teams time per game (5 %)2.442 · 76
DU — Durability89
- Share of games played (100 %)0.885 · 89
CK — Checking90
- Hits /60 (70 %)6.861 · 90
- Lowest seasonal rate (20 %)6.152 · 90
- Season volume (10 %)5.283 · 96
FG — Fighting92
- Fights per 82 games (100 %)2.426 · 92
DI — Discipline45
- Net penalty value /60 (50 %)-0.118 · 45
- Penalties taken /60 (30 %)1.313 · 45
- Penalties drawn /60 (20 %)0.621 · 87
PA — Passing72
- Primary assists /60 (40 %)0.346 · 73
- Secondary assists /60 (20 %)0.328 · 64
- Offensive creation (RAPM) (20 %)0.031 · 78
- Power-play points /60 (10 %)3.904 · 69
- Assist consistency (10 %)0.18 · 67
SC — Scoring68
- Goals /60 (25 %)0.181 · 70
- Individual xG /60 (20 %)0.19 · 73
- Finishing (goals − xG per shot) (20 %)-0.053 · 62
- High-danger chances /60 (15 %)0.102 · 75
- xG per shot (10 %)0.033 · 64
- Shot attempts /60 (10 %)10.1 · 77
DF — Defense75
- RAPM defense /60 (35 %)0.026 · 76
- Relative xG against (20 %)-0.018 · 76
- On-ice xG against /60 (15 %)2.669 · 71
- Penalty kill /60 (10 %)0.125 · 85
- Takeaways − giveaways /60 (10 %)-2.065 · 73
- Shot attempts against /60 (5 %)58.8 · 71
- Blocked shots /60 (5 %)3.835 · 66
PS — Penalty shot76
- Shootouts (60 %)32.7 · 76
- Penalty shots (40 %)26.7 · 76
EX — Experience90
- Career regular-season games (65 %)94
- Career playoff games (25 %)79
- NHL seasons (10 %)90
OV — Overall78
- DF · Defense (30 %)75
- PA · Passing (22 %)72
- SK · Skating (12 %)89
- SC · Scoring (12 %)68
- EN · Endurance (9 %)77
- ST · Strength (6 %)90
- DI · Discipline (5 %)45
- CK · Checking (4 %)90
| Season | OV | SK | SC | DF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 78 | 89 | 68 | 75 |
| 2024-25 | 80 | 88 | 76 | 79 |
| 2023-24 | 83 | 89 | 83 | 79 |
| 2022-23 | 79 | 90 | 89 | 75 |
The bars show confidence (sample size), not player quality. — : not enough data, not a zero. Engine version 1.0.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
-0.2
wins above replacement
262 of 325
PAL Rating
34/ 100
Performance · Below average
165 of 250 at the position
Value Rating
20/ 100
Very poor return
5.00 M$ · expected PAL 65
ProfileBalancedNeither end dominates
- Offense
- 40
- Defense
- 50
See full detailsHide details
- Offense
- 33
- Creation
- 62
- Shooting
- 18
- Possession
- 40
- Defense
- 41
- Discipline
- 15
- Power play
- 29
- Penalty kill
- 84
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
| Season | Team | WAR | PAL | Value | Cap hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | BOS | -0.2 | 34 | 20 | 5.00 M$ |
| 2024-25 | BOS | -0.1 | 33 | 16 | 5.00 M$ |
| 2023-24 | VAN | 0.4 | 43 | 24 | 3.75 M$ |
| 2022-23 | CGY | 1.8 | 77 | 63 | 3.75 M$ |
Hockey IQ, 2025-26
Rankings and method →The quality of the player's decisions with and against the puck at 5-on-5, against regulars at the same position (50 = average). PAL measures output; IQ measures how the player plays.
Overall IQ
13/ 100
Low
better than 13% of defensemen, offense and defense combined
Offensive IQ
79/ 100
Very good
passing, shots, puck
Defensive IQ
1/ 100
Low
takeaways, discipline, own zone
Overall IQ isn't an average of the two scores: it's the player's rank with offense and defense combined, 195 of 225 defensemen.
See full detailsHide details
Offense
- Playmaking passes
- 68
- Shot selection
- 30
- Penalties drawn
- 90
- Puck management
- 79
Defense
- Takeaways
- 78
- Discipline
- 0
- Safe zone exits
- 26
Percentiles: 80 means better than 80% of regulars at the same position. Play without the puck (positioning, coverage) isn't measured: the NHL doesn't publish that data.
| Season | Team | IQ | Off. | Def. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | BOS | 13 | 79 | 1 |
| 2024-25 | BOS | 5 | 75 | 0 |
| 2023-24 | VAN | 5 | 28 | 2 |
| 2022-23 | CGY | 49 | 68 | 34 |
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
-0.2
wins above replacement
-1.1 to 0.4 — 90% interval
262 of 325 defensemen
-0.8 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- +1.2
- EV defense
- +0.0
- Power play
- -0.0
- Penalty kill
- +0.5
- Shooting
- -2.7
- Penalties
- -3.4
- Average → replacement
- +3.5
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | BOS | 81 | -0.2 | -1.1 to 0.4 | 262/325 |
| 2024-25 | BOS | 77 | -0.1 | -1.1 to 0.8 | 247/314 |
| 2023-24 | VAN | 75 | 0.4 | -0.6 to 1.6 | 106/316 |
| 2022-23 | CGY | 82 | 1.8 | 0.4 to 3.5 | 21/334 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 143.6 km/h59th percentileleague avg. 139.7 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 34.4 km/h62nd percentileleague avg. 34.0 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 1066th percentileleague avg. 8
- Offensive zone time
- 39.2 %21st percentileleague avg. 42.4 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 72.6 km64th percentileleague avg. 56.1 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 5.32 km62nd percentileleague avg. 4.98 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 40.5 %24th percentileleague avg. 42.8 %
- Neutral zone time
- 18.4 %68th percentileleague avg. 16.9 %
- Defensive zone time
- 42.4 %25th percentileleague avg. 40.8 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 1454th percentile | 049th percentile | 0.0 %27th percentile |
| High danger | 287th percentile | 084th percentile | 0.0 %60th percentile |
| Mid range | 473rd percentile | 073rd percentile | 0.0 %50th percentile |
| Long range | 756th percentile | 077th percentile | 0.0 %67th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
FLA
PIT
VGK
CHI
STL
CAR
SJS
NSH
DAL
ANA
PHI
UTA
OTT
MIN
WPG
NYRNikita Zadorov: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Nikita Zadorov have in 2026-27?
Nikita Zadorov has 0 goals and 5 points (5 assists) in 17 games in 2026-27.
How old is Nikita Zadorov?
Nikita Zadorov is 31 years old: he was born on April 16, 1995.
How tall is Nikita Zadorov, and how much does he weigh?
Nikita Zadorov is 6'7" (201 cm) and weighs 245 lb (111 kg).
Where is Nikita Zadorov from?
Russia: Nikita Zadorov was born in Moscow, Russia.
What team does Nikita Zadorov play for?
Nikita Zadorov plays for the Boston Bruins in the NHL, at D, wearing number 91.
Is Nikita Zadorov injured?
No: Nikita Zadorov is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Nikita Zadorov?
Nikita Zadorov produced -0.2 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 262nd of 325 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 34 out of 100: below average for his position.
How much does Nikita Zadorov make?
Nikita Zadorov earns $5.0M for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 20 out of 100 (very poor return): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Nikita Zadorov's contract end?
Nikita Zadorov's contract runs through the 2029-30 season; he will then be an unrestricted free agent. It includes a NMC / NTC / M-NTC clause.
Is Nikita Zadorov overpaid?
Yes, his output falls short of what his salary should buy. His Value rating is 20 out of 100 (very poor return), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Nikita Zadorov a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 262nd of 325 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
Is Nikita Zadorov getting better?
He is holding steady: his PAL rating went from 33 in 2024-25 to 34 in 2025-26 (out of 100, 50 = average player at his position).
How has Nikita Zadorov played lately?
Over his last 10 games, Nikita Zadorov has 2 points (0 goals, 2 assists).
What are Nikita Zadorov's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Nikita Zadorov has 821 games, 53 goals, 142 assists and 195 points. His best season: 2025-26, with 22 points in 81 games.
Where was Nikita Zadorov drafted?
Nikita Zadorov was drafted 16th overall (round 1) by Buffalo Sabres in 2013.
Is Nikita Zadorov better at home or on the road?
On the road: in 2026-27, he averages 0.11 points per game at home (1 in 9 games) and 0.50 on the road (4 in 8 games).
How does Nikita Zadorov perform in the playoffs?
In the playoffs, Nikita Zadorov has 64 games and 20 points in his career. His pace (0.31 points per game) is similar to his regular-season pace (0.24).
Which player is most similar to Nikita Zadorov?
Timothy Liljegren: he is the player at his position whose PAL profile (the 0-to-100 dimensions) is closest to his in 2025-26.
Timothy Liljegren's page →Is Nikita Zadorov a good fantasy pick?
Probably not, except in deep leagues: our projection has him at 22 points in 2026-27, or 0.27 points per game.
Is Nikita Zadorov married?
Yes, married in 2015.
What is Nikita Zadorov's nationality?
Nikita Zadorov is Russian. Internationally: Russia — senior team debut in 2019 (2019 IIHF World Championship in Bratislava).
What awards has Nikita Zadorov won?
Selected to the OHL First-All-Rookie Team (2012–13 season) ; Selected to the OHL Second All-Star Team (2013–14 season).
How many championships has Nikita Zadorov won?
1: OHL champion with the London Knights (2012–13 season).
Where did Nikita Zadorov play before turning pro?
Krasnaya Armiya (top minor level, 2011–12); London Knights (OHL, began major junior career in 2012–13).
How many points is Nikita Zadorov projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 22 points in 81 games in 2026-27 (11 to 32 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his Boston Bruins teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)