Nikita Zadorov

Following a second round exit with the Avalanche in the 2019 NHL Playoffs, on 11 May 2019, Zadorov was a late inclusion to the Russian squad to make his senior international debut at the 2019 IIHF World Championships held in Bratislava, Slovakia.

At the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Zadorov was traded as a central piece by the Sabres in a package that also included Mikhail Grigorenko, J. T. Compher and the 31st pick in the draft to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Ryan O'Reilly and Jamie McGinn on 26 June 2015.

Zadorov married his wife Aleksandra Zadorova on June 12, 2015. Their 2 year-old daughter, Sophie, was born on April 12, 2017. The family also has a west highland white terrier named Luna.

Despite a benching during the rookie pre-season tournament in Traverse City, Michigan, Zadorov rebounded to have a strong training camp to make the Sabres' opening-night roster in the 2014–15 season as a permanent addition to the blueline. He initially only saw limited playing time as a rotational option to the third-pairing under Ted Nolan and was primarily on the team for practice only (he was not yet eligible for the American Hockey League and a tie-up involving Zadorov's KHL rights prevented him from being returned to juniors). Zadorov's playing time soon increased in the season as the team's coaching staff decided to keep Zadorov regardless of his junior situation. In developing a shut-down role through his physicality, Zadorov showed offensive glimpses, collecting his first multi-point game in scoring an overtime marker in a 4–3 victory over the Florida Panthers on 13 December 2014. Zadorov also became the youngest Sabres defenceman in history to score an overtime winner. Zadorov showed his youth by suffering two team suspensions over the course of his rookie campaign, after returning late from holiday over the All-Star break and later oversleeping through a team practice. Despite a lowly year for the Sabres, Zadorov led the blueline in plus–minus and finished with 3 goals, 12 assists in 60 games.

Zadorov attended his first rookie and NHL training camp and after his third pre-season contest he was signed by the Sabres to a three-year, entry-level contract on 26 September 2013. Under the assessment of head coach Ron Rolston, he made the Sabres' opening night roster to begin the 2013–14 season. Zadorov sat out the first ten games before he made his NHL debut in a 4–2 defeat to the Colorado Avalanche on 19 October. In just his second game, against the Boston Bruins on 23 October, Zadorov scored on his first shot in the NHL, against Chad Johnson. In so doing, he became the youngest Sabres defenceman in franchise history to achieve the feat.

After agreeing to a contract with the Knights, Zadorov began his major junior career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in the 2012–13 season. Joining fellow Russian Vladislav Namestnikov and after adapting to the differing style and dimensions of the North American game, Zadorov assumed a top pairing role and led All-Rookie defenceman in plus–minus with +33, and finishing second in scoring with 6 goals and 25 points in 63 games. Earning a roster spot in the 2013 CHL Top Prospects Game, Zadorov helped the Knights claim the OHL championship to advance to the Memorial Cup. As he was selected to the OHL First-All Rookie Team, he scored the game-winner in the opening game against the Western Hockey League's Saskatoon Blades before losing in the semi-finals. Zadorov's impressive season was noted as he was selected with the Buffalo Sabres's second first-round pick, 16th overall, in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Zadorov played in the 2008 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the HC CSKA Moscow youth team. He played in the top minor hockey level with his hometown team in Moscow, Krasnaya Armiya, in the 2011–12 season. Showing unique agility and skating prowess for a formidable frame, Zadorov scored 6 points in 42 games. He was selected by affiliate Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) club CSKA Moscow in the first round, fourth overall, of the 2012 KHL Junior Draft. However, with an impressive performance with the junior national U17 team in Windsor, Ontario, and stating his intention to pursue a career in North America in order to be selected in the NHL draft, London Knights general manager Mark Hunter traded up with the Peterborough Petes in the 2012 CHL Import Draft to select Zadorov ninth overall.

Nikita Sergeevich Zadorov (born 16 April 1995) is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was originally drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the first round, 16th overall, in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.