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Zadorov Staying In Buffalo?

September 25, 2013, 5:37 PM ET [24 Comments]
GARTH'S CORNER
NHL news by Garth • RSSArchiveCONTACT
These kids are alright!

The Sabres moved to 4-1-1 with their 3-0 shutout win over the CBlue jackets on Wednesday night.


Thanks, sabres.com





The 6'5", 220 pounder was the fourth D taken in the June NHL Entry Draft behind Seth Jones, Darnell Nurse, and his Sabres teammate Rasmus Ristolainen.

"Watching Nikita throughout training camp and the preseason has solidified our opinion that he will be a good, young hockey player for our organization going forward," Regier said. "He has exceptional presence on the ice and we look forward to seeing him continue to develop as a player."


In 2012-13, the Moscow, Russia native played for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, recording 25 points (6+19) and 54 penalty minutes in 63 games played.

Zadorv made an immediate impact on the Sabres brass when he body slammed his way through the Sabres Prospects camp in early July. The 18 year old stayed in Buffalo all summer and worked out with the Sabres strength and conditioning coach, as well the team's skating coach. He worked out and skated with his Sabres teammates in August and got himself into superior shape so that he could make another lasting impression at the Traverse City Prospects tournament. He played exceptionally well, and graded out well. He was a physical presence in all four games played and he added offense to the Buffalo attack. The Sabres finished 2nd out of 8 teams at Traverse City largely due to the contributions made by Zadorov and fellow rookie D Rasmus Ristolainen.


Its my opinion that the Sabres will allow Zadorov to stay and play tonight vs. Columbus and later this week in Raleigh before they send him back to the London Knights where he will play upwards of 25-27 minutes per night as the Knights' #1 D. London will play host to the 2014 Memorial Cup tournament and I assume taht the Sabres will want him to transfer his NHl experiences back to the OHL where we will be a one man wrecking ball this season.

I hope I'm wrong because I have been saying since early summer that Zadorov is plug and play, NHL ready right now. Ditto Ristolainen.


The Sabres sent D Brayden McNabb and Chad Ruhwedel to AHL Rochester on Sunday. The Sabres have a crowded blue line right now with Myers, Ehrhoff, Weber,Tallinder, Pysyk, Ristolainen, McBain, and Sulzer left in camp.

I can easily see the Sabres keeping Ristolainen and Zadorov, which would mean that McBain and Sulzer would have to be waived to Rochester or traded.
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