Nikita Zadorov exposes Flames and reveals why he wanted out

Nikita Zadorov stunned fans with a trade request from the Calgary Flames not long after having been contemplating a contract extension with the team, and he finally got his wish.

He was dealt to the rival Vancouver Canucks  last week in exchange for 2024 fifth-round pick and a 2026 third-round pick from the Flames, and as fate would have it, he would make his debut wearing No. 91 with his new squad against his old Flames teammates at the Scotiabank Saddledome.  And to put icing on the cake, he tallied what would stand as the game-winning goal late in the 3rd period, hitting the empty net. 

Zadorov, who played 177 games in a Flames uniform prior to the trade, naturally stated that the goal felt good. 

Before his Canucks debut, he would also shed light on why he requested a trade from Calgary despite having reportedly been open to an extension - he never received an offer. 

"I haven't got a contract offer," he said. 

And he doesn't seem to mind that the trade request wasn't kept private, either.

"No, I'm happy where I'm at right now," he said. 

With their victory last night over the Flames, Vancouver improved to 16-8-1, while Calgary dropped to 10-11-3. 

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