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Viktor Antipin

Eastern Notes: Van Riemsdyk, Bellerive, Mete, Antipin

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While major roster moves at this point in the season are unlikely, it sounds like Toronto could be looking to make some moves later in the season, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger. The Maple Leafs who are overloaded with forwards and will have to worry about salary cap issues for the impending future (the currently are $4.58MM over the cap) might be willing to move some of their veteran forwards whose contracts are close to expiring. According to Dreger, the team might be looking to move James van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozak and Leo Komarov during the season to get some value for them.

Van Riemsdyk would be a valuable trade chip for the Maple Leafs. The 28-year-old put up 29 goals and 33 assists last year and will be making $4.25MM in his final year of his contract. Trade speculation surrounding van Riemsdyk isn’t surprising. There was plenty of that last year. With all the contracts the Maple Leafs have, including the deal to sign Patrick Marleau as well as an eventual long-term deal that will go to Auston Matthews, Toronto will likely be forced to make some moves.

Bozak had 18 goals and career-high 55 points last year and could also be a key trade asset for the franchise. There were plenty of rumors surrounding the 31-year-old center this offseason in which both the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Rangers were interested in bringing him. Komarov also had a solid year for the Leafs as the 30-year-old center put up 14 goals and 18 assists.

Dreger said that while it is unknown whether the franchise intends to eventually move one or all three, but suggested that a team like the Anaheim Ducks might be the perfect trade candidate for Toronto as the Ducks might be looking to add a third-line center.

  • The Pittsburgh Penguins announced they have signed undrafted 18-year-old Jordan Bellerive to a three-year entry-level contract. The 5-foot-10 center put up 27 goals and 29 assists for the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes last year, but to many people’s surprise did not get drafted. He joined the Penguins for the 2017 Prospects Challenge in Buffalo, New York and led the prospects with seven points (four goals, three assists) in three games. He is expected to return to his junior team this season.
  • Eric Engels of Sportsnet writes that the Montreal Canadiens are taking a serious look at defensive prospect Victor Mete as a potential line partner with veteran Shea Weber. Mete, a fourth-round pick in 2016, put up 44 points in 50 games last year for the OHL’s London Knights. The scribe reports that the 19-year-old has not looked out of place next to Weber and is a perfect complement to him.
  • John Vogl of the Buffalo News writes that former KHL defenseman Viktor Antipin, who signed with the Sabres this offseason, is working hard to earn a spot on the Sabres’ defensive rotation. The 24-year-old has been paired so far in camp with defensive-minded Justin Falk, which many believe is a perfect pairing. The offensive-minded Antipin scored 24 points in 59 games for Magnitogorsk Mettallurg last year.

 

Buffalo Sabres Officially Sign Viktor Antipin To One-Year Contract

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All the Buffalo Sabres can breathe now, the Viktor Antipin saga is over. After a long courtship, the team has finally announced the signing of the Russian defenseman to a one-year entry-level contract. The short term is due to his age; at 24, Antipin was only eligible for a one-year entry-level deal, and will become a restricted free agent next summer.

New Sabres’ GM Jason Botterill released a statement on why they though Antipin was a fit in Buffalo:

Victor is a well-rounded defenseman who has played in all situations at the pro level. His mobility and puck-moving skills make him a perfect match for what we’re hoping to build with our defense corps next season.

The mobility that Botterill mentions was on display at the recent World Championships, where Antipin recorded four assists and was one of Russia’s better defenders. His size is the biggest issue he’ll face in the NHL, as though the Sabres list him as 5’11” 179-lbs in their press release, the IIHF had him at just 5’9″ during the tournament. Either way, he’ll never compete with some of the bigger NHL players physically, but has never let his disadvantage slow him down in the KHL. During his six seasons there—he broke into the professional ranks at 18—he’s put up strong offensive numbers and been relatively healthy. Despite his team, Magnitigorsk, losing in the finals this season to SKA St. Petersburg, Antipin was named the best defenseman of the championship series. His seven playoff goals were the most from any defender.

For Buffalo, signing Antipin gives them another option on the blueline next year to build around. Along with Rasmus Ristolainen, Jake McCabe and Zach Bogosian, the team is looking to get younger and more mobile. Brendan Guhle will likely play a part at some point, while Devante Stephens could impress and make a case for himself during the year. With Dmitry Kulikov and Cody Franson likely on their way out in free agency, it will be a new-look blueline to be sure at the start of 2017-18.

Viktor Antipin To Join Buffalo Sabres Next Week

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In what has been one of the worst kept secrets this spring, Viktor Antipin will indeed join the Buffalo Sabres for next season. He confirmed to Alexei Shevchenko of Sport-Express that he will head to Buffalo on May 29th to sign his deal and is excited to get started in the NHL. The 24-year old just completed the World Championships for Russia where he won his second straight bronze and third medal overall. Like many other players at the tournament, he’ll look to North America for the next opportunity in his hockey career.

Antipin has been one of the more consistent defensemen in the KHL for several years, scoring at least 15 points for the past five seasons. He logged more than 20 minutes a night for Magnitogorsk this season, leading them to the finals against St. Petersburg. Named the best defenseman of the final series, he still couldn’t contain Ilya Kovalchuk and the rest of the super-powered SKA team, losing in five games. Overshadowed offensively at times by Chris Lee a former AHL wash-out that suited up for Canada at the recent tournament, Antipin can play successfully at both ends of the rink. He has the ability to work on a powerplay and will likely get a chance to contribute significant minutes for the Sabres as they try to rebuild their defense corps.

Beyond Rasmus Ristolainen, the Sabres have had trouble finding much consistency on the back end, with even Zach Bogosian facing injury and performance troubles at times. There may be more success coming though, as Ristolainen (22) will likely see Jake McCabe (23) and Brendan Guhle (19) take on a bigger role in the next couple of seasons.

Snapshots: KHL, Surgeries, Bjork

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Several pieces of news out of the KHL today, including the signing of a three-year contract for Nikita Tryamkin with Yekaterinburg. The news that Tryamkin had left the Vancouver Canucks has been out for a while, but now we know how long the team will have to wait until they get a chance to bring him back to the NHL. The Canucks will hold his rights until 2021-22 season since they plan to qualify him this offseason, meaning that perhaps a reunion is possible after this three-year deal expires in 2020.

Viktor Antipin has officially terminated his deal, meaning he’s allowed to sign with the Buffalo Sabres (or anyone else) as soon as he wishes. Antipin’s teammate and former NHLer Alexander Semin will not be offered a new contract by Magnitogorsk, despite scoring 30 points this season. Semin could potentially return to the NHL should someone want to take a chance on the former 40-goal man, though at 33 his most effective years are likely behind him.

  • SKA St. Petersburg and CSKA Moscow were involved in a trade, swapping the rights to Nail Yakupov and Nikita Kucherov for those of Marcus Johansson and David Musil. While Kucherov and Johansson are both under contract and thus unable to be wooed by the KHL, both Yakupov and Musil are restricted free agents this summer. They could theoretically leave for greener pastures, as neither have been able to make much of an impact at the NHL level recently (or ever, in Musil’s case).
  • The Minnesota Wild have announced that both Marco Scandella and Christian Folin have undergone surgery to repair hip and shoulder injuries respectively. Both are expected to be ready for training camp, though it obviously sets some of their offseason work back.
  • Joe Haggerty of CSNNE reports that NCAA prospect Anders Bjork has told the Bruins he’ll make a decision on turning pro after the World Championships. Bjork is currently playing with Team USA at the tournament, which starts on May 5th. The 20-year old fifth-round pick blew up at Notre Dame this year, and Boston has made it clear that they want him to turn pro this summer instead of returning for his senior season. If he were to return, he’d be just a few months away from free agency when he graduated with most of the league ready to put his name on a contract.

Latest On Sabres’ Pursuit Of Viktor Antipin

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The Buffalo Sabres are one step closer to signing Viktor Antipin as according to Igor Eronko of Sport-Express, the 24-year old defenseman has indeed terminated his contract with Magnitogorsk and is now a free agent. Antipin had been contracted through next season, but has been rumored for months to be a target of the Sabres. With Dmitry Kulikov, Cody Franson and Taylor Fedun all set to become free agents, the Sabres could use a puck moving defender like Antipin immediately on the back-end.

Antipin is one of the most decorated young players in the KHL, already with two Gagain Cup victories, two World Championship medals and a World Juniors silver under his belt. He’s also been a KHL all-star and won the league’s “Gentleman” award. After 24 points in 59 games this season, Antipin played a huge part in taking Magnitogorsk to the Cup final once again, scoring seven goals in 18 playoff games. Buffalo will likely get him under contract as soon as possible.

Earlier updates…

  • Last week, the two sides were linked by multiple sources with Brayton Wilson of WGR 550 in Buffalo noting that any deal would likely include a clause which would send Antipin back should the Sabres think he’s not ready for the NHL. There will be no AHL time for the young defender, as his goal is to play in the NHL right away. Nikita Tryamkin had a similar clause put into his deal, before heading back to Russia this year.
  • Back in early March, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet was one of the first to mention Antipin’s name in connection with Buffalo, while also speaking about his teammate Alexei Bereglazov’s interest in the New York Rangers. Bereglazov signed with the Rangers on April 21st, mainly because he did not have the added obstacle of negotiating a termination of a full year on his KHL deal. If Antipin does sign with the Sabres, it will be interesting to see the two develop for cross-state teams here in the NHL.

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