The advocate acknowledged that facing one of your former employers brings out a mix of emotions.

“I still have a lot of friends on this team. Lots of good memories,” he said after the Bruins’ morning skate. “Obviously, there is also a lot to prove. You have a chance to play against your old team because for whatever reason you didn’t stay there or work out, but you want to prove yourself. Someone made a mistake, didn’t they?

After a successful playoff run in Vancouver, Zadorov signed a five-year contract to return to the Atlantic Division. Zadorov entered the NHL after the Sabers made him a first-round draft pick in 2013.

Zadorov played in every match and Jim Montgomery sees a player continuing to adapt to his new surroundings, but as with the entire team, there have been hiccups.

“I don’t see him putting pressure,” the coach said. “I think overall, I think he’s finding his way into our systems, and I think sometimes he seems like he understands exactly what we’re trying to accomplish and sometimes he seems like he doesn’t. not do it, but I wish it was just him. Then it would be easier to solve.

Zadorov believes he is becoming more and more comfortable with the way the Bruins are running.

“I think in the five games I was really listening and it’s been nice, easy so far,” he said. “Obviously we’re in a bit of a crisis right now. The puck doesn’t go in, every rebound comes back to us. We try to stay positive here and all the guys try to work together, but when the unit of five works within the system, I think the system is perfect for us.

Zadorov said staying positive and working hard are the ways to get out of a slump, and that’s what he sees from his teammates.

“I thought it was like a five-on-five playoff game against Toronto, and we had two shutouts before, so I thought we were in a good position,” he said. “Obviously they scored three power play goals, one empty net goal, what are you going to do? Special teams need to be better. We all know that, but five against five I think we played well. We have improved. There’s still a lot of room for improvement, but I think we’re getting there.

When things aren’t going well within the team, it’s natural to start applying pressure.

“You deal with one pressure after another, so I think the guys in this league who thrive are the ones who can take that pressure and then put it to work and make sure it works for them,” Zadorov said . “Obviously you can’t be at the top of your game for your entire career. You can’t be at your best for an entire season. There are going to be recessions. There will be slowdowns in team play. There will be slumps in the individual game. You just have to deal with it. It’s the National Hockey League. It’s the best league in the world. It’s our job. So I think you go, whatever’s not working, you try to do little things, right? You start with that and then the big things will happen.

Reunited

Montgomery reunited Pavel Zacha with David Pastrnak against the Flames. The two played together extensively and started the season as wingers on Lindholm’s line.

The coach moved Zacha to center with Pastrnak on the right and Tyler Johnson left. Zacha didn’t think it would take long for him and Pastrnak to narrow down their timing.

“We’re good at talking to each other on the ice and he tells me exactly what we need to be, and I think with him it’s natural to have that chemistry, and we just have to continue to create those chances together and help our team wins,” Zacha said.

Take a look from week to week

Defender Andrew Peekewho suffered an upper-body injury Tuesday in Toronto when he awkwardly hit the boards after a collision with Max Paciorettywas listed as “week to week” by Montgomery. The club has yet to call up an additional defenseman from Providence…The Bruins signed an 18-year-old defenseman Loke Johansson to a three-year entry-level contract with an annual NHL salary cap of $860,000. A sixth-round pick in 2024, the 6-foot-3, 214-pound Johansson has a goal and 5 points in 15 games with the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL… Evening song: “Theme O (extended mix)” by Madison Mars.

Jim McBride can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow him @globejimmcbride.