Nikita Zadorov likely facing suspension for brutal hit on Brett Howden

Player Safety is likely to be calling Nikita Zadorov of the Vancouver Canucks after he was ejected from a game for a hit on Brett Howden of the Vegas Golden Knights.

In the dying seconds of the first period of last night's game, Nikita Zadorov of the Vancouver Canucks caught the Vegas Golden Knights Brett Howden completely unaware, and pasted him into the boards behind goaltender Logan Thompson. Zadorov was given a five minute major for boarding, as well as a game misconduct.





Brett Howden remained in the game, although he was on the ice for just over 12 minutes in total.

Nikitia Zadorov of the Vancouver Canucks was suspended for two games less than two months ago. That time, it was for an illegal hit on Lucas Raymond of the Detroit Red Wings. It was the first fine/suspension from the NHL in Zadorov's career.


Nikita Zadorov is an intense player, and one most others would like to have playing with them rather than against him. However, his intensity can sometimes be over the top. We'll have to wait and see what the Department of Player Safety thinks about this one. Zadorov started the 2023-24 season as a member of the Calgary Flames, but requested a trade, which was granted on Nov. 30, 2023 when he was sent to Vancouver in exchange for a fifth round pick in the upcoming draft, and a third rounder next year. He's also played for the Buffalo Sabres, the Colorado Avalanche and the Chicago Blackhawks.

Zadorov's Vancouver Canucks teammate Thatcher Demko recently suffered a major setback in his bid to return to playing from a knee injury. Thatcher was initially supposed to miss two to three weeks.