Canucks defenseman Nikita Zadorov reveals he cannot return home

Nikita Zadorov has made a huge presence in his first season with the Vancouver Canucks. Already a daunting figure at 6'6" and nearly 250 pounds, Big Z also put up 20 points in 75 games during the regular season, and 8 in 13 playoff games this year as a defenseman.

Zadorov also made massive waves across the NHL after becoming the first Russian player in the league to speak out against the invasion of Ukraine. The player has been critical of many of Vladimir Putin's policies and came out against the war quickly and decisively in numerous interviews.

Zadorov is undoubtedly a brave and upstanding person for speaking against his home country and the invasion of Ukraine. However, it has come with a clear price. The Canuks defenseman revealed that not only has he not returned since the start of the war, but he has no plans of returning while Putin is still in power.

Though the player will continue living between Vancouver and Miami for the foreseeable future, his courage to speak out is remarkable. Hopefully other Russian-born players can come use their voice and Zadorov will be able to go home at some point down the line.