Rookie blueliner aces the Sabres Top 24 and under players and prospects in Tier V
17: Nikita Novikov, D/Rochester
Nikita Novikov is someone I recently made a few comments about regarding a brewing two-way game. And while he won’t clock in as highly as players like Ryan Johnson and Bowen Byram in the Top 24 and Under rankings, he’s not a player to be underestimated following a successful first season with the Amerks.
Novikov registered just three goals, but his 20 assists and plus-20 rating showed us he knows how to create when the Amerks need to score. And in case you’re wondering, no, Novikov wasn’t quarterbacking power plays, so it makes what he’s accomplished even more impressive.
We already knew what the 6’4, 200-pound Novikov gives the Sabres system defensively, and he displayed that aggressive approach that forces opponents into making mistakes while in the Amerks zone. But if he keeps developing offensively and sticks around in the prospects pool, Novikov will skyrocket in these rankings when they’re revisited.
This list comprised three players who either played part-time or started their respective North American careers, and Novikov was the best of the trio this season. He’s also just 20 years old, so the former sixth-round pick will keep getting better when he hits the ice next season. The only remaining question is: How far can he take his game in Year 2 of his stint in Rochester?
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(Statistics provided by Elite Prospects)