Bruins post mic’d-up video of Nikita Zadorov chirping Sens’ Brady Tkachuk
The Boston Bruins released a little sneak preview of their next episode of “Behind the B,” which you can watch above.
The clip features Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov constantly chirping Senators captain Brady Tkachuk during their game on Jan. 23 at TD Garden. During a stoppage, he apparently tries to goad Tkachuk into a fight with, “You want to get the crowd going?”
Zadorov also basically questions Tkachuk’s manhood, which would seemingly be a good strategy if you’re trying to get a big, tough hockey player to lose his cool. “I didn’t know you were a bigger [expletive] than your brother,” he says to Brady, referencing his brother Matthew Tkachuk of the Panthers. He then adds, “I thought more of you.”
Ultimately, Zadorov and Tkachuk both ended up with game misconducts when they finally started tussling with just five seconds left in the game. The officials essentially kicked them out to get matters under control, with the game just about over.
The clip shows both the “good” and “bad” of Zadorov’s time with the Bruins. He’s most certainly big and mean, and a good policing presence for the other team’s big, mean dudes. He also tends to stick up for his teammates and protect them, as opposed to just committing mindless violence.
But there’s also the part where he tells Andrew Peeke, “Tkachuk wants to bury me, so I’m just sucking him in and then I’ll pass it to you.” That’s the sign of a player that sometimes goes out of his way to antagonize opponents or bring his physical edge, which can fall outside the team structure and lead to penalties or defensive coverage mistakes. It’s all part of the experience.
It would be nice if the Bruins could get to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, because Zadorov’s size and toughness would be major assets. He would just need to make sure he’s sound in the defensive end of the ice, as well, so that his physical tendencies wouldn’t backfire on him.
The newest episode of “Behind the B” premiered Wednesday night at 6 p.m ET.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.
