Nikita Zadorov sets the record straight on rumored Oilers-Bruins trade

The Oilers spent much of the offseason trying to find a new home for Darnell Nurse, and it wasn't a simple process.

San Jose ended up being the answer, but before that trade came together, another version of it reportedly ran through Boston.

Word on the summer rumor mill had the Oilers and Bruins closing in on a swap that would have sent Nurse east in exchange for veteran defenseman Nikita Zadorov heading to Edmonton.

That deal reportedly stalled when Zadorov wouldn't waive his no-trade clause, effectively ending it before it ever got off the ground.

On Sunday, Zadorov addressed the rumor directly and said none of it happened the way it was described.

He explained the idea was basically imaginary and that a trade like that never made sense for Boston or for him personally.

He added that everyone around the situation moved on from it almost immediately once it surfaced, and that he's happy under contract with the Bruins.

Zadorov, 31, is four years into the six-year, $30 million deal he signed with Boston as a free agent in 2024.

He was steady for the Bruins last season, putting up 22 points across 81 games while adding 196 hits and 102 blocked shots, numbers that back up his reputation as one of the more physical blueliners in the league.

Edmonton didn't end up needing Zadorov anyway.

The Oilers eventually shipped Nurse to San Jose and got back young defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin, clearing up what had turned into an awkward cap situation.

Still, given how well Zadorov plays on the left side, it's easy to see why Edmonton would've loved to land him if things had broken differently.

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