Nikita Zadorov Offers Blunt Reflection On First Bruins Season

BOSTON — If there was ever a doubt as to whether or not Nikita Zadorov would sugarcoat anything about his first season playing for the Boston Bruins, it was answered on Thursday.

When Zadorov was asked how he felt about his performance during the 2024-25 campaign, the defenseman offered a brutally honest response.

“I think it’s a little improper to ask an individual question when the team definitely had a goal to make the playoffs and we didn’t,” Zadorov quipped. “So, obviously, it’s not a great year when you could not help enough to your team to make it through to the postseason, so I think there’s definitely room to improve.”

Although there are a handful of games across the league that still need to be played before the playoffs begin, the Bruins finished in last place in the Eastern Conference with an overall record of 33-39-10. Zadorov pointed to a couple of areas that led to the disappointing season.

“There’s a lot of things. Obviously, the coaching change and just a slow start,” he said. “I think that’s the main thing for us. If you look at New Jersey and Minnesota, just because of how great their start was, and they were kind of hanging on at the end, and they got in (the playoffs).

“It’s hard, it’s a hard league. Mathematically, it’s harder to make the playoffs than to win a Stanley Cup. You can win every seventh game, and you’re going to be four games above .500 and you win a Stanley Cup, but you need to be a .620, .650 win percentage to make the playoffs. Now, it’s getting even more competitive with 32 teams. … You have to have a good start, and we didn’t this year.”

Zadorov skated in 81 games this season, with four goals and 18 assists, and he led the league with 145 penalty minutes. That latter is not something he anticipates changing in the future.

“I want to play Boston Bruins hockey,” he said. “I want to be as physical as I can. Sometimes, I was crossing the line. I take all responsibility for it.

“I’m trying to be as disciplined as I can, but unfortunately, sometimes it’s my style (of play) and sometimes I cross the line because I’m 6’6″ and 250 (pounds). I’m a big guy, so sometimes those penalties will happen. That’s why you have to have a good penalty kill to kill the penalties.”

The Bruins’ penalty kill ranked 24th out of 32 clubs, with a 76.3% conversion rate, allowing 56 goals on 236 shorthanded opportunities. Only the San Jose Sharks (66) and Anaheim Ducks (64) gave up more power-play goals than Boston.