Flames Nikita Zadorov asks for trade and Kings re-aquire Samuel Fagemo from Predators

Calgary Flames defenceman Nikita Zadorov wants to leave town after requesting a trade Friday night.

ESPN’s Kevin Weekes was the first to announce that Zadorov requested the trade through his agent, Dan Milstein, just moments after the Flames’ 5-4 shootout loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Milstein was far from quiet on Twitter through that Flames game, tweeting his opinions on the reduced ice time for Zadorov. The defenceman had 15:33 of ice time, shaving off 1:13 of ice time from the club’s previous game against the Nashville Predators on November 7th. His average ice time throughout the Flames first 12 games of the season sits at 18:12. 

Both Toronto and the Vancouver Canucks seem to be the teams Zadorov has his eyes set on. The Athletic’s Chris Johnston later reported the blueliner “would welcome a move to Toronto.” Vancouver insider Rick Dhliwal confirmed the player’s interest in the Canucks. However, the 28-year-old does not have any trade or movement protection.

Zadorov was acquired in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks in the summer before the commencement of the 2021-22 season. This campaign marks his third year with the club, scoring 19 goals and 48 points throughout 168 games with the Flames. His career stretches far beyond the Flames, with 11 years of NHL experience split between the Colorado Avalanche, Buffalo Sabres, Blackhawks, and the Flames. 

The defenceman is in the final year of his two-year contract with the Flames with an AAV of $3.75-million. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer alongside teammates Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev. 

Kings re-acquire Samuel Fagemo off waivers from Predators

After four games into the 2023-24 campaign with the Nashville Predators, forward Samuel Fagemo has been re-claimed off waivers by his former team, the Los Angeles Kings.

Initially, the forward was set to start the campaign with the Kings, but the organization took a risk by placing him on waivers during the preseason. Unfortunately, the club was unlucky when the Predators snagged him on October 2nd. 

Nonetheless, he’s back in Los Angeles. Throughout four games with the Predators, Fagemo scored just one goal. Fagemo was originally the Kings’ 50th overall selection in the 2019 NHL draft, making his debut in the 2021-22 season, but he did not post a point throughout four games. He appeared in nine games the following season, scoring two goals and three points. He primarily spent his time with the American Hockey League’s Ontario Reign, where he’s been a solid point producer, scoring 27 goals and 44 points in 2021-22, followed by 23 goals and 32 points in 2022-23. 

Although the young forward adds some extra depth to the Los Angeles lineup, the market wouldn’t be surprised to see him back on waivers at some point. The organization’s re-addition of Fagemo and his $775,000 contract leaves them with $3 million in cap space.