He didn’t and doesn’t fit on our team but I always liked him. Gross af to see him in those colors
ToXiC_Games
I know he doesn’t fit our system, but I just love having a big body like him or MacD out there to hit people 🙁
SpaceGhcst
He would have been a perfect bottom 3 option
RMoysters33
meh
Subject2Change
Kinda? I don’t miss the “being big” penalties.
Olgregdontsurf
Nope. Dude played like he was 5’5’’ unless someone had their head down. Softest big guy in the league next to Tyler Myers.
Tat-lou
Meh 😑
Talinn_Makaren
Yep. One of the few players I enjoy watching post Avs career. Was a beast in the playoffs for the Canucks.
KalKenobi
No he cost us Vs the Stars in Bubble and VGK the Year after
McMetal770
He was really inconsistent when he was here, but I loved him anyway, and to his credit he’s managed to iron out some of the rough spots in his game since he left. When he was on, he was absolutely thrilling to watch. I vividly remember being near the glass one game (I think it was against Winnipeg?) where he ended up on a partial breakaway and just wired a wicked wrister into the top corner right in front of me. And of course it was always fun to watch him level squeaky clean but devastating hits.
And just in case that wasn’t enough, he has been the only Russian NHL player to publicly stand up to Putin and the war in Ukraine. He sacrificed his ability to go back home in order to stand up for what’s right, even when the rest of his countrymen are ducking the issue as hard as they can.
Miss you Big Z!
Square_Saltine
Eh, not really.
edditorRay
No.
He was often out of position trying to throw a big hit, often screened our own goalie, and made questionable decisions with the puck in the defensive zone.
The random big hits are crowd-pleasers though.
Little-Nikas
Not really, no.
The only 91 I miss is Naz
I’d rather a system fit player than him, but anyone missing him is understandable.
Okwhoasked420
Sometimes
Kstapes
I’m a flames fan. I miss him here as well.
Miller1128
I saw several reports saying that the Avs definitely tried to bring him back this offseason. He’s not a perfect fit and he has limitations, but used right he is a good player and great team/locker room guy. So to answer the question, yes I miss Big Z.
Unhappy_Community284
Fuck I do! Lets go Avs! Just got tickets to Avs Wings game in Detroit. LFG!
adalaza
He looks badass with the 2019 scar
ThunderGoalie35
Not really. I don’t see where he fits in to our D corps unless on the bottom pairing but that’s way too much money for a bottom pairing guy
InevitableAvalanche
Not really. Had some fun games but a lot of the time was a liability. Don’t dislike him though and hope the best for him.
Alternative-Cry3369
Canucks fan here. Miss him much
captaindingus93
Canucks fan, yes I miss him very much.
Sad_Aside_4283
Nope
BJYeti
No, the number of times he would just give up or make a stupid play to cost a goal made my head spin, happy he is thriving elsewhere though
jmobstfeld
Every damn day
Worldsgame19
He’s always been one of my favorites, and love to see him live up to his potential. That being said, wearing those colors, we can’t call him Big Z anymore
26 Comments
He didn’t and doesn’t fit on our team but I always liked him. Gross af to see him in those colors
I know he doesn’t fit our system, but I just love having a big body like him or MacD out there to hit people 🙁
He would have been a perfect bottom 3 option
meh
Kinda? I don’t miss the “being big” penalties.
Nope. Dude played like he was 5’5’’ unless someone had their head down. Softest big guy in the league next to Tyler Myers.
Meh 😑
Yep. One of the few players I enjoy watching post Avs career. Was a beast in the playoffs for the Canucks.
No he cost us Vs the Stars in Bubble and VGK the Year after
He was really inconsistent when he was here, but I loved him anyway, and to his credit he’s managed to iron out some of the rough spots in his game since he left. When he was on, he was absolutely thrilling to watch. I vividly remember being near the glass one game (I think it was against Winnipeg?) where he ended up on a partial breakaway and just wired a wicked wrister into the top corner right in front of me. And of course it was always fun to watch him level squeaky clean but devastating hits.
And just in case that wasn’t enough, he has been the only Russian NHL player to publicly stand up to Putin and the war in Ukraine. He sacrificed his ability to go back home in order to stand up for what’s right, even when the rest of his countrymen are ducking the issue as hard as they can.
Miss you Big Z!
Eh, not really.
No.
He was often out of position trying to throw a big hit, often screened our own goalie, and made questionable decisions with the puck in the defensive zone.
The random big hits are crowd-pleasers though.
Not really, no.
The only 91 I miss is Naz
I’d rather a system fit player than him, but anyone missing him is understandable.
Sometimes
I’m a flames fan. I miss him here as well.
I saw several reports saying that the Avs definitely tried to bring him back this offseason. He’s not a perfect fit and he has limitations, but used right he is a good player and great team/locker room guy. So to answer the question, yes I miss Big Z.
Fuck I do! Lets go Avs! Just got tickets to Avs Wings game in Detroit. LFG!
He looks badass with the 2019 scar
Not really. I don’t see where he fits in to our D corps unless on the bottom pairing but that’s way too much money for a bottom pairing guy
Not really. Had some fun games but a lot of the time was a liability. Don’t dislike him though and hope the best for him.
Canucks fan here. Miss him much
Canucks fan, yes I miss him very much.
Nope
No, the number of times he would just give up or make a stupid play to cost a goal made my head spin, happy he is thriving elsewhere though
Every damn day
He’s always been one of my favorites, and love to see him live up to his potential. That being said, wearing those colors, we can’t call him Big Z anymore