Five Most Intriguing UFAs That Have Played Under Assistant Coach Jeremy Colliton

5. Nikita Zadorov, Defenseman

A notable fan favorite and a very much sought-after asset this off-season, Zadorov is the most intriguing UFA on this list, having spent one season as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks under Colliton. Fresh off a run with the newly formidable Vancouver Canucks, Zadorov is in pole position to cash in on his current situation. About to hit the open market, Zadorov would be a welcome addition to any group with aspirations of competing consistently.

The Devils are in a position to do such a thing. With incoming trades a likely forgone conclusion, it is not out of the realm of possibility that one of the current left-handed defensemen finds themselves in a new Jersey (pun intended) come October. With Luke Hughes, Jonas Siegenthaler, and Kevin Bahl rounding out the left side of the ice, it’s possible that GM Tom Fitzgerald will decide that an upgrade is necessary to ensure a turnaround of fortunes. Santeri Hatakka and Seamus Casey are also in the mix but may very well be valuable assets to utilize in a future trade. Signing a player like Zadorov will not come with questions. It will come with a guarantee that a no-nonsense defense, a defense that fans have been craving for far too long, is here to stay.  

If a move is made, it will surely boost a Devils defense that struggled mightily throughout this past season and would elevate any new goaltender wearing a Devils sweater on opening night. Zadorov would bring excitement to this group and be the official start of a foundation where no-nonsense is a formality. Come July, we’ll see if Zadorov in a Devils jersey is a reality and not just a daydream.