Boston has the cap space and the need to add both premium free agents, and may come out as one of the biggest winners of free agency if they do land both players. Elias Lindholm was seeking north of $8M on a max term contract, and Nikita Zadorov was hoping to get $6M over 6 years. These might be classic overpays for free agent contracts, but the Bruins will add two star players to a roster that always makes the playoffs.
Elias Lindholm struggled last season, but has proven over his 818 game NHL career to be a reliable top six centreman on a contending team. In his time with the Vancouver Canucks, Nikita Zadorov showed himself off as an emotional leader and physical presence who can move the puck. His deal is now official, paying him $7.75M a year for 7 years.
Vancouver Canucks fans will be gutted to lose both players, but they didn't have the cap space to make a realistic offer to keep either player. After making the playoffs for the first time in years, the Canucks will be losing many quality players in free agency, and may have to make some more offseason moves to get back to the playoffs.
