The Buffalo Sabres signed yet another exciting prospect on Friday, this one coming in the form of a defenseman, and a physical one at that.
Earlier in May, forward Viktor Neuchev signed with the Buffalo Sabres. And while Neuchev could eventually become a well-known fixture on the Rochester Americans, the Blue and Gold signed a prospect every Sabres fan should get excited about – Nikita Novikov. If you don’t know him well, keep reading for a rundown on just how exciting Buffalo’s latest signee is.
Novikov brings size (6’3, 196lb) and a physical edge to the organization, one that they sorely need given the lack of high-end defensive prospects in the system. Novikov’s signing tells us that the 19-year-old (turns 20 in July) will head over to Rochester, where he should become a primary contributor for the Amerks once he’s acclimated to the North American game.
The Buffalo Sabres have signed defenseman Nikita Novikov to a three-year, entry-level deal. pic.twitter.com/pjGuBJFZ5b
— Sabres PR (@SabresPR) May 19, 2023
And I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw Novikov in a Sabres uniform sooner than later. While it’s doubtful that will happen next season, the blueliner has a good deal of professional hockey experience for his age, having seen time in 32 KHL contests in 2021-22, before appearing in 62 matchups this past season for Dynamo Moskva.
Nikita Novikov could be a steal for the Buffalo Sabres
No, Novikov isn’t a scorer. But judging from what others have said, the kid reminds me a lot of Mattias Samuelsson, and he may be the top-four caliber defenseman that could ultimately pair with Owen Power IF general manager Kevyn Adams doesn’t sign one to a long-term deal.
Depending on how well he plays in Rochester, you could see Novikov in a Sabres uniform as early as 2024-25. He could also start things off on the third pairing once he eventually makes the leap, perhaps serving as Ilya Lyubushkin’s successor on the third pairing before he ultimately works his way alongside Power.
And while you may think the 188th overall pick of the 2021 NHL Draft may need more than a season to develop in Rochester, it might be wise to rethink that. Novikov fell because front offices weren’t sure if he was interested in signing with the NHL. Now that this clearly isn’t the case, the Buffalo Sabres may have just gotten themselves the steal of the 2021 NHL Draft.
Overall, given Novikov’s size and his experience in the KHL at such a young age, Sabres fans everywhere should be excited to see him coming to North America. Look for him to make the transition to the North American game this season, and if he’s a fast learner, he might just move up to the NHL level sooner than we all think.
(Information provided by Elite-Prospects)
Source: Buffalo Sabres Sign Nikita Novikov To Entry-Level Contract by Brennan McClain, ProHockeyRumors.com