The Colorado Avalanche are bringing back their most physical defenseman.
Nikita Zadorov agreed to a one-year contract to remain with the Avalanche, the club announced Friday. The pact carries a cap hit of $3.2 million, according to The Athletic's Ryan S. Clark.
Zadorov ranked sixth among NHL blue-liners with 228 hits in 70 games last season and tied for third in the league in hits per contest (3.3) among rearguards with at least 50 games played.
The 24-year-old was a restricted free agent coming off a two-year, $4.3-million contract he signed with Colorado in September 2017, according to CapFriendly.
Zadorov spent the last four seasons with the Avalanche, who acquired him from the Buffalo Sabres in the Ryan O'Reilly trade in 2015.
The Sabres selected him 16th overall in 2013.
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