Nikita Novikov
Selected in the sixth round of the 2021 NHL Draft, the Buffalo Sabres may have gotten a gem in Nikita Novikov. Talk about a towering player who is still a little slim, but nonetheless possesses ideal size.
Think of him as a thinner version of Mattias Samuelsson, or at least that’s something Novikov can grow into with time. If you see the kid hit, it’s one of many reasons that he can eventually grow into a stay-at-home defenseman at the NHL level.
While he needs to pack on a few more pounds of muscle, it also hasn’t stopped Novikov from becoming a road block and a rangy one at that. He constantly forces opponents to change direction and improvise, but there is also enough reach for him to disrupt plays with a poke check if he can’t use his body to his advantage.
Overall, these are three lower-end European prospects in the Buffalo Sabres system that have impressed in some way, shape, or form. Keep tabs on them this season and most likely 2023-24, and don’t be surprised if they eventually make their way to North America.
(Statistics provided by Elite Prospects)
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