LD Nikita Zadorov (2013, 16th, BUF; traded to COL)
- Thread starter HockeySauce
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Why are we just ignoring that Zadorov and his agent are basically holding the Sabres hostage here and blaming it on the transfer agreements? Horvat and Domi went back to London and didn't act entitled. Rumor is Zadorov threw a hissy fit when Buffalo sent him down last year as well.
Jussi
Registered User
That is indeed a problem for Russian junior hockey, developing offensive defensemen. Former team Finland and SKA coach Jukka Jalonen explained it in detail last season in an interview. Defensemen are taught to search for long stretch passes along the wings, they don't know how to pass into tight spaces or have the skill to carry the puck into the zone themselves. [mod]
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Zine
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Horvat and Domi aren't European.
Last year CSKA let Zadorov play in London, such is not the case at the moment.
Because Zadorov and his agent haven't asked for permission to play in the OHL because they don't want to. Period. I can 99% guarantee you that if they did ask for permission it would be granted and Zadorov would be in London. But they're trying to force Buffalo into putting him on the NHL roster.
Zine
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I agree. In general, it's better for Russian d-men to develop in NA. It's 100% the opposite for Russian forwards to, who, again in general, tend to regress.
Jussi
Registered User
That could be true. Or not. However, if one starts to plan one's hockey development/career purely on research and statistics (position, handedness, league, team), it's a never ending slope.
I do not envy the life of a Russian junior hockey player, no matter what they choose, someone will say they made/are making the wrong choice.
Zine
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That could be true. Or not. However, if one starts to plan one's hockey development/career purely on research and statistics (position, handedness, league, team), it's a never ending slope.
'Tis the life of most prospects.
See the never-ending NCAA/CHL debates, USA Hockey's dislike of CHL, Czechs being omitted from national teams. Even Sweden (if I recall correctly) was considering blacklisting kids from national teams if they didn't develop at home.
Zine
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http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showpost.php?p=91238175&postcount=9
How can his KHL club block him from playing in London if he doesn't have a KHL contract? I don't think they can. However, I don't think he wants to play in London which is really the issue here. I truly think he wants to be in the KHL this year if he's not playing for the Sabres. So this "limbo" is really working out a release from London so he can play in the KHL. Didn't something happen with Yakupov, Sarnia and the KHL during the lockout?
How can his KHL club block him from playing in London if he doesn't have a KHL contract? I don't think they can. However, I don't think he wants to play in London which is really the issue here. I truly think he wants to be in the KHL this year if he's not playing for the Sabres. So this "limbo" is really working out a release from London so he can play in the KHL. Didn't something happen with Yakupov, Sarnia and the KHL during the lockout?
Why would they block him this year but not last? They have nothing to gain from blocking a player like that. It doesn't send a great message to other players that the team may dick you around from year to year.
more from Hoppe (basically defending his work)
This whole things seems weird, either his KHL tem is playing hardball or Zadorov's team is BSing to get out of going to London.
This whole things seems weird, either his KHL tem is playing hardball or Zadorov's team is BSing to get out of going to London.
There possibly may be some contract details we do not know. As far as league regulations and agreements go, his case doesn't seem to be different from Grigorenko's, it's even the same two organizations involved (Sabres and CSKA).
jvirk
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- Oct 31, 2013
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Honestly they should play him here in Buffalo. Let him learn. You know this season is a wash. Might as well be a season where he got some real experience and developed his game. He's a BLUECHIP prospect, there is NO denying that...so don't just let him sit there...put him in.
Honestly I'm 99% sure at this stage in his development that he's better than Strachan, Meszaros, and Benoit.
Honestly I'm 99% sure at this stage in his development that he's better than Strachan, Meszaros, and Benoit.
NHL Dude 120
Registered User
Seriously something needs to be done to fix this, seeing as how Zadorov is under contract with the Sabers, and doesn't have the clearance to play in the OHL, maybe the Sabers could ask the NHL for an exception to play in the AHL for the mean time, till the issue gets resolved. I hate to see a kid not play because of crap like this.
tsujimoto74
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- May 28, 2012
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If only. The league wouldn't be able to say no fast enough. Which is really stupid, given the circumstances. That agreement is meant to protect the CHL from losing talent, but Zadorov is gone either way already.
Peter25
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Zadorov must regret the day he left to the Canadian juniors. But it is too late now. The mistake was already made.
Beerz
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I think they said Goldobin didn't have a contract with the WHL ... apparently Zadorov does? (OHL)
Peter25
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Beerz
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He could play for London this week (I know his KHL team is allegedly blocking him, I'm not sold this is true, why didn't they block him last year if they could with no contract?). When he came to the OHL for his draft year he or his agent should of known he was being bound to the OHL or NHL until he was 20 thanks to the agreement. I think he will be playing in the KHL very soon, a release has to be worked out with London first (I'm thinking $$$$).
More crying about the CHL-NHL agreement in this thread, tell me how it's the the rule's fault his KHL team isn't letting him play in London if you're actually buying that part of the situation? He has no KHL contract (that I or some Russian posters on here know of).
bottomofthefoodchain
Registered User
It reflects rather poorly on the organization when they are holding their former player hostage.
It reflects poorly on Zadorov he isn't finishing obligation with the Knights. Now I don't particularly blame him, if he feels he's done with the Knights and wants to play in Russia for a year then I'm cool with that. But the Knights can't be blamed for not outright releasing one of their players and get nothing out of it when he's rightfully their player.
How is it possible zadorovs fault? He hasn't been assigned to london. How can he be refusing to report to a place he hasn't been asked to go to? Jesus Christ.
