While we wait for an official ruling from the Buffalo Sabres on the playing status of D-man Nikita Zadorov’s status in Buffalo, there is a question about which team owns Nikita Zadorov’s Russian player rights.

On Sunday night, Buffalo Hockey reported that Zadorov does not have a release to play for the OHL London Knights right now. This explains why the former first round pick (2013, 16th overall) has not been sent back to junior yet. Zadorov is not eligible to play this season in AHL Rochester which leaves home only two options: stay and play in Buffalo, or, return home to Russia to play in the KHL this season.

It had been reported that Zadorov’s rights are owned by a KHL team in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Comes news today that CSKA Moscow (16-2 record in KHL) are indeed the owners of Zadorov’s Russian player rights.

According to a source Moscow #CSKA still holds the #KHL rights for #Sabres D Nikita Zadorov contrary to this report http://t.co/w7XLeEwsiF

— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) October 21, 2014

The Sabres and Zadorov departed on their four game western road trip on Monday. Zadorov has yet to play in a game for the Sabres this season. Will he play on this road trip to Anaheim, LA, Sam Jose, and Toronto?

Sabres GM Tim Murray has to make the determination as to whether Nikita will stay in Buffalo this season, or, head home to Russia to continue his development.

CSKA’s GM is former NHL superstar Sergei Fedorov.

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