Canucks acquire D Nikita Zadorov from Flames

The Calgary Flames dealt defenseman Nikita Zadorov to the division rival Vancouver Canucks on Thursday in exchange for two draft picks.

The Canucks will send Calgary a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and a third-rounder in the 2026 draft.

Zadorov, 28, is in his 11th NHL season and will join his fifth team. He has 132 points (42 goals, 90 assists) across 588 games with the Buffalo Sabres (2013-15), Colorado Avalanche (2015-20), Chicago Blackhawks (2020-21) and Calgary (2021-23).

Zadorov tallied one goal and five assists over 21 games for the Flames this season.

He was a first-round selection (16th overall) in the 2013 draft by Buffalo.

Vancouver general manager Patrik Allvin said in a statement, "Nikita is a big, strong and mobile two-way defenseman who will bring more physicality to our backend. We really like his size and reach and his addition to our blue line gives us more depth and better options moving forward."

Flames general manager Craig Conroy added in a news release, "First, I'd like to thank Nikita for his commitment to the Flames and his professionalism through this process.

"Our hockey operations group works every day to find opportunities that make our team better today and for the future. This trade provides us with important draft assets, cap space and the opportunity for another one of our young prospects to prove himself in the NHL."

The Flames were 9-10-3 (21 points) entering play Thursday, while the Canucks were challenging the Golden Knights atop the Pacific Division. Vancouver was 15-7-1 (31 points), one point behind Vegas through Wednesday.

—Field Level Media