Sabres pick #16 Nikita Zadorov

[26CornerBlitz]

@JSportsnet

Can confirm that Nikita Zadorov will play for Russia against the OHL All-Stars tonight in Oshawa. 7 pm et on SN1. #subwaysuperseries

 

Watch it here: http://chl.insinc.com/canadavsrussia/

[Derrico]

@JSportsnet

Can confirm that Nikita Zadorov will play for Russia against the OHL All-Stars tonight in Oshawa. 7 pm et on SN1. #subwaysuperseries

 

Watch it here: http://chl.insinc.com/canadavsrussia/

 

I tried looking for tickets after finding this out but it's obviously sold out.

[26CornerBlitz]

I tried looking for tickets after finding this out but it's obviously sold out.

 

The entire series is sold out?

 

‏@SabresProspects

Zadorov playing his game. Clearing out net front, standing up vs rush. He just put London teammate Max Domi on his back at the RUS blueline

 

@SabresProspects

Zadorov steals puck in own zone, takes three strides and springs Shiksatdarov on a breakaway. Russia takes 3-2 lead on Team OHL.

[26CornerBlitz]

@SabresProspects

Zadorov skates puck down to left circle and fires a bullet pass in front to Butuzov for goal. Russia leads OHL 4-2 in 3rd. Zadorov 2A.

 

@SabresProspects

Zadorov gets his third assist of the evening on Russia's empty-netter. Supposedly tired Russians defeat Team OHL 5-2. Great game for NZ.

 

@coreypronman

Zadorov (BUF) was clearly the best player for Russia outside their goaltender. Dominant game by him.

[bunomatic]

@SabresProspects

Zadorov skates puck down to left circle and fires a bullet pass in front to Butuzov for goal. Russia leads OHL 4-2 in 3rd. Zadorov 2A.

 

@SabresProspects

Zadorov gets his third assist of the evening on Russia's empty-netter. Supposedly tired Russians defeat Team OHL 5-2. Great game for NZ.

 

@coreypronman

Zadorov (BUF) was clearly the best player for Russia outside their goaltender. Dominant game by him.

 

Nice. Thanks

[darksabre]

@SabresProspects

Zadorov skates puck down to left circle and fires a bullet pass in front to Butuzov for goal. Russia leads OHL 4-2 in 3rd. Zadorov 2A.

 

@SabresProspects

Zadorov gets his third assist of the evening on Russia's empty-netter. Supposedly tired Russians defeat Team OHL 5-2. Great game for NZ.

 

@coreypronman

Zadorov (BUF) was clearly the best player for Russia outside their goaltender. Dominant game by him.

 

Please come back! :(

[26CornerBlitz]

Please come back! :(

 

It was fun watching him tonight.

[Derrico]

The entire series is sold out?

 

‏@SabresProspects

Zadorov playing his game. Clearing out net front, standing up vs rush. He just put London teammate Max Domi on his back at the RUS blueline

 

@SabresProspects

Zadorov steals puck in own zone, takes three strides and springs Shiksatdarov on a breakaway. Russia takes 3-2 lead on Team OHL.

 

I just looked for the game in Oshawa tonight that was sold out. Drove home from work and it was packed down at the arena. Thanks for the updates man.

 

Let's hope he keeps dominating and comes back strong next year. I'll be sure to keep tabs on him down in the O.

[26CornerBlitz]

Russia beats OHL in Game 3 of Super Series

 

Nikita Zadorov made his return to junior hockey by assisting on three goals as Russia beat the Ontario Hockey League 5-2 on Thursday night in Oshawa, Ontario, in the third game of the Subway Super Series.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZpdBY0mRh4

 

Nikita Zadorov: There’s nothing cooler than the NHL

 

One might think Nikita Zadorov’s performance in the big leagues would be a one-step-at-a-time kind of thing as he’s just an 18-year-old defenceman with nothing but two years of major junior experience under his belt. However, in seven games with the Buffalo Sabres prior to his return to the Memorial Cup-host London Knights, he averaged over 17 minutes of ice-time and scored a goal.

 

What does this kid have - nerves of steel?

 

“Actually, I wasn’t nervous at all,” says Zadorov. “No, seriously. I’d been waiting for that moment for such a long time, why would I be nervous? I’ve played hockey for 15 years. Why would I be nervous if I love the game?”

[darksabre]

Russia beats OHL in Game 3 of Super Series

 

Nikita Zadorov made his return to junior hockey by assisting on three goals as Russia beat the Ontario Hockey League 5-2 on Thursday night in Oshawa, Ontario, in the third game of the Subway Super Series.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZpdBY0mRh4

 

Nikita Zadorov: There’s nothing cooler than the NHL

 

One might think Nikita Zadorov’s performance in the big leagues would be a one-step-at-a-time kind of thing as he’s just an 18-year-old defenceman with nothing but two years of major junior experience under his belt. However, in seven games with the Buffalo Sabres prior to his return to the Memorial Cup-host London Knights, he averaged over 17 minutes of ice-time and scored a goal.

 

What does this kid have - nerves of steel?

 

“Actually, I wasn’t nervous at all,” says Zadorov. “No, seriously. I’d been waiting for that moment for such a long time, why would I be nervous? I’ve played hockey for 15 years. Why would I be nervous if I love the game?”

 

This kid has no reason to be playing anywhere but the NHL.

[LTS]

Given Nolan comments after last night... he might be back sooner. But he's got the right attitude. I love this board for providing this update.

[K-9]

This kid has no reason to be playing anywhere but the NHL.

 

But he's just a fragile 18 year old and it is so much better for his confidence to dominate inferior competition because, you know, that's how you improve your game.

 

Seriously though, he's just not your average 18 year old both physically and emotionally. He'd be much better served in the AHL, if not the NHL, and that CHL rule that prohibits that possibility really needs to be changed.

 

GO SABRES!!!

[LGR4GM]

Zadorov will stay in London and have fun and be a kid. Why should he play this year? We won't win anything and he will still grow and learn in the OHL. Saves a year of his ELC and he can win a memorial cup. Let the kid be a kid for one more year.

[K-9]

Zadorov will stay in London and have fun and be a kid. Why should he play this year? We won't win anything and he will still grow and learn in the OHL. Saves a year of his ELC and he can win a memorial cup. Let the kid be a kid for one more year.

 

He'll still be a teenager next year so it's probably best we wait until he's 20 before giving him a shot at the big club. Let him be a kid for as long as possible.

 

GO SABRES!!!

[qwksndmonster]

Zadorov will stay in London and have fun and be a kid. Why should he play this year? We won't win anything and he will still grow and learn in the OHL. Saves a year of his ELC and he can win a memorial cup. Let the kid be a kid for one more year.

Liger, I know you want the kids to develop properly, and I actually think Larsson and Risto will be served well by time in the ahl. It's just a judgement call from what I see from Nikitia. He's ready to play in the NHL and will learn a lot faster playing against men.

[LGR4GM]

Liger, I know you want the kids to develop properly, and I actually think Larsson and Risto will be served well by time in the ahl. It's just a judgement call from what I see from Nikitia. He's ready to play in the NHL and will learn a lot faster playing against men.

I love Zadorov. He is great to watch and you can see that his talent ceiling is quite high and not even close to being hit. I want him in Buffalo but not yet. This team is still damaged and broken and struggling to find its way. He wasn't going to get more than 15minutes a night if he was lucky here either. You may be correct in that he would grow faster playing against men, but he can do that next year once this mess is straightened out and some of these craptastic defenders are shipped off.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

 

Liger, I know you want the kids to develop properly, and I actually think Larsson and Risto will be served well by time in the ahl. It's just a judgement call from what I see from Nikitia. He's ready to play in the NHL and will learn a lot faster playing against men.

 

I think Nolan loves Dale Hunter and is one of the reasons he is letting him babysit. They have clutch guys on that team like Horvat as well. I agree that he is more NHL ready than Risto. Larsson impressed me with his work, but he just seems like a fringe guy long term on talent.

 

 

[qwksndmonster]

I love Zadorov. He is great to watch and you can see that his talent ceiling is quite high and not even close to being hit. I want him in Buffalo but not yet. This team is still damaged and broken and struggling to find its way. He wasn't going to get more than 15minutes a night if he was lucky here either. You may be correct in that he would grow faster playing against men, but he can do that next year once this mess is straightened out and some of these craptastic defenders are shipped off.

I don't think any of that would've impacted Nikita one bit. It's definitely better to have him in London if we aren't going to play him. With Hunter and the Memorial Cup, it's a great option at least.

 

I think Nolan loves Dale Hunter and is one of the reasons he is letting him babysit. They have clutch guys on that team like Horvat as well. I agree that he is more NHL ready than Risto. Larsson impressed me with his work, but he just seems like a fringe guy long term on talent.

Larsson and Zemgus both have the drive and grit to be NHLers but aren't really displaying much talent at this point (Z is a more complete player and has earned his spot with his 2 way play). It'll be a while before I can make a judgement on Larsson's skill at the NHL level. I think he's got a good shot to be much better than a fringe guy, though.

[bunomatic]

I think the memorial cup experience is invaluable to Zadorov. We need guys on the big club that have won and know how to win championships. At all levels.

[qwksndmonster]

I think the memorial cup experience is invaluable to Zadorov. We need guys on the big club that have won and know how to win championships. At all levels.

Meh. Meh.

[Sabres Fan in NS]

I think the memorial cup experience is invaluable to Zadorov. We need guys on the big club that have won and know how to win championships. At all levels.

 

Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think London won the Memorial Cup last May ... :flirt:

 

OHL champions, yup.

[bunomatic]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think London won the Memorial Cup last May ... :flirt:

 

OHL champions, yup.

 

He has an opportunity now to play for the memorial cup which was what I meant. In Buffalo he has an opportunity to lose.

[inkman]

Buffalo...an opportunity to lose.

Perfect. This season summed up.

[darksabre]

Perfect. This season summed up.

 

Absolutely perfect.

[3putt]

Zadorov will stay in London and have fun and be a kid. Why should he play this year? We won't win anything and he will still grow and learn in the OHL. Saves a year of his ELC and he can win a memorial cup. Let the kid be a kid for one more year.

The ohl is a pro league it is not college with frat parties and the sorrority social. He is also not inculcated with what we would consider normal teenage things. He came to NA to make it to the NHL, and he did. That is where he wants to be and obviously he does not fear the challenge.