Bruins Nikita Zadorov Felt “Disgusted” By Being Scratched

October 20, 2026 - 09:04

Boston Bruins head coach Marco Sturm decided to send a message of tough love to bruising defenseman Nikita Zadorov when he designated him as a healthy scratch for their recent outing, a 4-1 victory on the road over the struggling Los Angeles Kings.

Zadorov had been whistled for a penalty in their previous game against the Anaheim Ducks, and the coaching staff opted to sit him for a night as a result. The veteran blueliner did not hide his feelings about the decision. He used the word disgusted to describe his reaction to watching from the press box rather than being on the ice with his teammates.

The scratch came at a moment when Zadorov had been logging significant minutes on the Boston blue line. Known for his physical style and willingness to engage in the rough stuff, he has been an important piece of the team's defensive corps since arriving in Boston. Being pulled from the lineup, even for a single game, clearly did not sit well with the 30-year-old.

Sturm's decision reflects a willingness to hold players accountable regardless of their role or reputation. The Bruins responded with a strong road performance against Los Angeles, and Zadorov is expected to return to the lineup with something to prove. His candid comments suggest the message was received loud and clear, and the coming games will show whether the benching sparks a sharper, more disciplined version of the physical defenseman.