When I reviewed free agent options on defense for the Bruins, I thought Zidlicky would be the best fit, with the trifecta of a relatively cheap salary, enough production to not be an offensive black hole, and very good fancy stats.
According to a scouting report from The Hockey News, Zidlicky has a heavy shot and likes to join in on the attack. Arguably, though, Zidlicky is at his most useful on the power play. In his younger days, he set a record for the Nashville Predators in power play points. Six of his seven goals and 19 of his 34 points came on the power play in 2014-15. At even strength, he's primarily a playmaker, scoring 13 assists to a paltry one goal at 5v5.
However, Zidlicky's greatest weakness is supposedly actual defense, according to both pundits and fans alike. He makes poor decisions in the defensive zone and is prone to miscues like this one. Ugh. For those too lazy to click on the link, Zidlicky, seeing a forechecker closing in, panics and fumbles the puck off his backhand . . . and right to Rick Nash, who hammers the puck past a helpless Cory Schneider. That goal tied the game for the Rangers (Zidlicky's opponent) and set the stage for a game-winner by Kevin Klein in OT.
OK, so that was pretty bad. But it's just one play. What do the stats say?
Initially, they say "well, he's not that bad". Zidlicky's teams have produced slightly more Fenwick events than they've given up while he's on ice during the past eight years, with a 50.7 FF%. Adjusting for teammates, he has an FF% of 51.21%, boosting his FF% rel. up to a nice +2.81. As for the defensive side of the game: Zidlicky's 37.36 FA60 comes in at 59th out of 398 qualifying D-men during the past eight years - in the top 15% of all defensemen in the league.
While there's absolutely some truth to the opinion that Zidlicky has problems on defense, he definitely isn't as bad as people make him out to be. He could be a good fit on the Bruins blue line.