BSN exclusive: Nikita Zadorov, Avalanche agree on new contract

The Nikita Zadorov contract situation is over.

Zadorov, the young Avalanche defenseman who missed Friday’s opening day of training camp because of a contract stalemate, has agreed on a new contract, BSN Denver has learned. The deal is a two-year contract worth $4.3M total, making it an annual average value of $2.15M. His actual salary is $2.1M first the first year and $2.2M for the second year.

Zadorov, who is coming off his entry-level contract, could be on the ice Saturday, pending final agreement on the deal.

The signing of Zadorov, 22, gives the Avs four defenders under contract that have extensive NHL experience. At 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, Zadorov is one of the bigger defensemen in the league and was a key part of the Avs’ trade with the Buffalo Sabres that sent Ryan O’Reilly there.