Bruins defenseman praises Zadorov, Lindholm's fit in Boston

“I feel like they’re Bruins players even though they haven’t been here.”

Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov are fitting in well with the Bruins before ever donning the black and gold in regular season action. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

The Bruins loaded up in the offseason with a pair of key acquisitions on both sides of the puck. Boston locked in a top center in Elias Lindholm, and added a big-body defenseman in Nikita Zadorov when NHL free agency began in the summer.

Hampus Lindholm, entering his fourth season in the black and gold sweater, was very complimentary of the way that both Zadorov and E. Lindholm have fit into the Bruins thus far, despite not yet playing a regular season game with the team.

“Both [Zadorov] and [E. Lindholm], I feel like they’re Bruins even though they haven’t been here,” H. Lindholm told NESN ahead of Boston’s preseason finale against the Washington Capitals. “We’re excited to have them, I think they’re going to be great additions to this team.”

“Both [Zadorov] and Elias, I feel like they’re Bruins players even though they haven’t been here and haven’t played a regular season game yet… they’re gonna be great additions to this team.”

Hampus Lindholm on Nikita Zadorov and Elias Lindholm joining the @NHLBruins 🐻 pic.twitter.com/YFm8Oljexx

— NESN (@NESN) October 5, 2024

Lindholm could speak more to the impact of Zadarov, as the two have spent more ice time together in defensive drills. Boston coach Jim Montgomery has tried out a few different pairings throughout preseason games and training camp. Though H. Lindholm and Zadorov haven’t been paired on any such occasions, they have both taken shifts with Charlie McAvoy on the top pair.

“He’s a big loud guy, he’s fun to have around,” H. Lindholm said of Zadorov. “He’s a good player, I think he really fits into being a Bruin, like I said from the start when he came here.”

Zadorov’s physical presence — six-foot-six, 250 pounds — certainly fits well with the Bruins identity, and he should provide some added stability to a defensive core that was shaky at times last season.

E. Lindholm had a down year in 2023-24, accumulating his lowest point total (44) since the 2017-18 season, and finishing -14 in the plus-minus category. However, the center has always been known for his scoring. He has over 550 career points and nearly won the Selke trophy following his 2021-22 season of 82 points and a plus-minus of +61.

Count fellow newcomer Zadarov as one of the many firm believers that E. Lindholm will have a bounce-back season with the Bruins. Both veterans will look to aid Boston in its first Stanley Cup win since 2011 and first Stanley Cup final appearance since 2019.