Michael Pachla: Nikita Zadorov "finds his way" 19 yr. old Zadorov to play 10th game this season, on second pairing with 20 yr. old Rasmus Ristolainen

Mike,
I like the big boy!

He ceiling is more than Myers:
- Hits
- Plays with edge
- Has a offensive push

Looking forward to watching this kid grow! He is 18/19 years old (not 24 and waiting and waiting......) can't imagine him in a couple years with Risto!

Mike,
I like the big boy!

He ceiling is more than Myers:
- Hits
- Plays with edge
- Has a offensive push

Looking forward to watching this kid grow! He is 18/19 years old (not 24).
- Irish 14

really like him too, especially his demeanor...got nothing against myers as he's a different kind of player...

imo, even at 24, a defenseman still has a lot to learn


*grabs popcorn*

really like him too, especially his demeanor...got nothing against myers as he's a different kind of player...

imo, even at 24, a defenseman still has a lot to learn


*grabs popcorn*
- Michael Pachla

Demeanor - perfect word to describe him!

I also understand you saying 24 is still young enough to learn. But Myers isn't going to be a top 1/2 defensemen we are looking for, just not going to happen. He doesn't have the intestinal fortitude you need to be a leader and take his game to that next level? Just my thoughts.

Michael Pachla: Nikita Zadorov "finds his way"
19 yr. old Zadorov to play 10th game this season, on second pairing with 20 yr. old Rasmus Ristolainen
- Michael Pachla

He's playing well, but it still doesn't sit well with me that he "earned" his spot by he and his agent essentially holding a gun to the Sabres' head. Of the 3 guys that were highly debated as to who earned a spot, among him, Reinhart, and Grigorenko, he looked the worst.

Mike,
I like the big boy!

He ceiling is more than Myers:
- Hits
- Plays with edge
- Has a offensive push

Looking forward to watching this kid grow! He is 18/19 years old (not 24 and waiting and waiting......) can't imagine him in a couple years with Risto!
- Irish 14

i heard that zadarov chapped a few vets by getting an apartment in buffalo, long before he had a roster spot sewn up. maybe he knew about the khl thing, maybe not. i love that hes gonna be here. it sounds like his approach has become more professional since the summer. i think that he is exactly the kind of player tim murray wants here.

Demeanor - perfect word to describe him!

I also understand you saying 24 is still young enough to learn. But Myers isn't going to be a top 1/2 defensemen we are looking for, just not going to happen. He doesn't have the intestinal fortitude you need to be a leader and take his game to that next level? Just my thoughts.
- Irish 14

I hear ya...

i'm not to the point yet where i'm looking to move him as I still see plenty of upside...could very well happen later, just not there yet

He's playing well, but it still doesn't sit well with me that he "earned" his spot essentially by he and his agent essentially holding a gun to the Sabres' head. Of the 3 guys that were highly debated as to who earned a spot, among him, Reinhart, and Grigorenko, he looked the worst.
- buffalofan19

He also has yet to do anything to prove he's a top 4 NHL defensemen right now.

Really sucks he can't go to the AHL for this year, seems like he could have been ready for a big role as early as next season

He's playing well, but it still doesn't sit well with me that he "earned" his spot by he and his agent essentially holding a gun to the Sabres' head. Of the 3 guys that were highly debated as to who earned a spot, among him, Reinhart, and Grigorenko, he looked the worst.
- buffalofan19

agreed...that being said, he's done more in his nine-game stint, than either of them did when they were with the club, imo

i heard that zadarov chapped a few vets by getting an apartment in buffalo, long before he had a roster spot sewn up. maybe he knew about the khl thing, maybe not. i love that hes gonna be here. it sounds like his approach has become more professional since the summer. i think that he is exactly the kind of player tim murray wants here.
- rover16

Rov,
Another great word to describe a player with some jam and desire. Approach! Nice job!

I hear ya...

i'm not to the point yet where i'm looking to move him as I still see plenty of upside...could very well happen later, just not there yet
- Michael Pachla

He is, but the stat line won't show it.

In the last 2 games where the team has played well as a whole, he has 3 points and is a +2. While playing the most minutes, and the most PK/PP time.

He also has yet to do anything to prove he's a top 4 NHL defensemen right now.

Really sucks he can't go to the AHL for this year, seems like he could have been ready for a big role as early as next season
- sbroads24

would you agree that the "nhl" part of your equations doesn't matter right now when it comes to the sabers?

Rov,
Another great word to describe a player with some jam and desire. Approach! Nice job!
- Irish 14

are we getting any quarters for these words?

He also has yet to do anything to prove he's a top 4 NHL defensemen right now.

Really sucks he can't go to the AHL for this year, seems like he could have been ready for a big role as early as next season
- sbroads24

broads,
Don't want to get into a pissing match. But Zadorov play has basically called out Myers lack of? Just my thoughts, I appreciate your desire to back Myers and respect it. No harm

are we getting any quarters for these words?
- Michael Pachla

No quarters, but just shows your approach and demeanor (knowledge) for the game!

While I realize it's common for fans to fall in love with a player based on a handful of games, I wouldn't be so hasty to put Zadarov on a top tier setting as an NHL defenseman quite yet. As many talent scouts, both amateur and NHL scouts have pointed out to me, he has huge holes in his game yet and isn't nearly up to the required speed at the NHL level. In short, he still has a long way to go.

As for comparing him to Myers, once again, every NHL connected individual I've had the privileged to ask, including a couple of GM's, it's not even close, Myers is volumes ahead. I think the hate from fans as to what "they want Myers to be" and what Myers was always projected to be and is, provides a stark divide in assessing NHL talent. In short, those of you not satisfied, come back down to earth, Myers is still the top of the crop in Buffalo in Defenseman, that, according to every individual I've spoken with to date, and it's not even close. And I'm no Myers cheer leader, but I cannot deny what those in the know say.

agreed...that being said, he's done more in his nine-game stint, than either of them did when they were with the club, imo
- Michael Pachla

was hedges (zadarovs agent) responsible or was it alexei kasatonov (st petersburgs gm)?

are we getting any quarters for these words?
- Michael Pachla

I'll take 'Breakfast cereals that begin with the letter Q' for $500 Alex...

While I realize it's common for fans to fall in love with a player based on a handful of games, I wouldn't be so hasty to put Zadarov on a top tier setting as an NHL defenseman quite yet. As many talent scouts, both amateur and NHL scouts have pointed out to me, he has huge holes in his game yet and isn't nearly up to the required speed at the NHL level. In short, he still has a long way to go.

As for comparing him to Myers, once again, every NHL connected individual I've had the privileged to ask, including a couple of GM's, it's not even close, Myers is volumes ahead. I think the hate from fans as to what "they want Myers to be" and what Myers was always projected to be and is, provides a stark divide in assessing NHL talent. In short, those of you not satisfied, come back down to earth, Myers is still the top of the crop in Buffalo in Defenseman, that, according to every individual I've spoken with to date, and it's not even close. And I'm no Myers cheer leader, but I cannot deny what those in the know say.
- TWGsabres

Agreed..... and Thank you

While I realize it's common for fans to fall in love with a player based on a handful of games, I wouldn't be so hasty to put Zadarov on a top tier setting as an NHL defenseman quite yet. As many talent scouts, both amateur and NHL scouts have pointed out to me, he has huge holes in his game yet and isn't nearly up to the required speed at the NHL level. In short, he still has a long way to go.

As for comparing him to Myers, once again, every NHL connected individual I've had the privileged to ask, including a couple of GM's, it's not even close, Myers is volumes ahead. I think the hate from fans as to what "they want Myers to be" and what Myers was always projected to be and is, provides a stark divide in assessing NHL talent. In short, those of you not satisfied, come back down to earth, Myers is still the top of the crop in Buffalo in Defenseman, that, according to every individual I've spoken with to date, and it's not even close. And I'm no Myers cheer leader, but I cannot deny what those in the know say.
- TWGsabres

Appreciate the post TWG

Just can't keep waiting for this potential.

While I realize it's common for fans to fall in love with a player based on a handful of games, I wouldn't be so hasty to put Zadarov on a top tier setting as an NHL defenseman quite yet. As many talent scouts, both amateur and NHL scouts have pointed out to me, he has huge holes in his game yet and isn't nearly up to the required speed at the NHL level. In short, he still has a long way to go.

As for comparing him to Myers, once again, every NHL connected individual I've had the privileged to ask, including a couple of GM's, it's not even close, Myers is volumes ahead. I think the hate from fans as to what "they want Myers to be" and what Myers was always projected to be and is, provides a stark divide in assessing NHL talent. In short, those of you not satisfied, come back down to earth, Myers is still the top of the crop in Buffalo in Defenseman, that, according to every individual I've spoken with to date, and it's not even close. And I'm no Myers cheer leader, but I cannot deny what those in the know say.
- TWGsabres

Agreed that Myers is still at the top of the crop among Sabres' defenseman. The question becomes: is that good enough?

While I realize it's common for fans to fall in love with a player based on a handful of games, I wouldn't be so hasty to put Zadarov on a top tier setting as an NHL defenseman quite yet. As many talent scouts, both amateur and NHL scouts have pointed out to me, he has huge holes in his game yet and isn't nearly up to the required speed at the NHL level. In short, he still has a long way to go.

As for comparing him to Myers, once again, every NHL connected individual I've had the privileged to ask, including a couple of GM's, it's not even close, Myers is volumes ahead. I think the hate from fans as to what "they want Myers to be" and what Myers was always projected to be and is, provides a stark divide in assessing NHL talent. In short, those of you not satisfied, come back down to earth, Myers is still the top of the crop in Buffalo in Defenseman, that, according to every individual I've spoken with to date, and it's not even close. And I'm no Myers cheer leader, but I cannot deny what those in the know say.
- TWGsabres

I'm a big fan of Myers but he'd be a 2nd pairing D on most any other team right now. I think he has the potential to be really, really special and I hope everyone (fans, coaches, etc.) give him a longer chance to develop.

2 things holding him back IMO.
1. He has ZERO mean streak to him and I'm not sure he ever will.
2. He still needs to learn to just make the simple play and get the puck out. He thinks too hard.

Agreed that Myers is still at the top of the crop among Sabres' defenseman. The question becomes: is that good enough?
- buffalofan19

for now it has to be. myers is logging lots of difficult minutes every game. theres a big difference between defense and forward; when you screw up a 2 on 1 and dont get a shot off- its just a missed opportunity, when a defenseman misses his assignment in front or throws an ill advised pass up the middle- it winds up in the back of your net. a bad night for a 19 year old kid could easily be -3, myers will allow zadarov and ristolainens (lesser extent) minutes to be more sheltered. my opinion anyways.

While I realize it's common for fans to fall in love with a player based on a handful of games, I wouldn't be so hasty to put Zadarov on a top tier setting as an NHL defenseman quite yet. As many talent scouts, both amateur and NHL scouts have pointed out to me, he has huge holes in his game yet and isn't nearly up to the required speed at the NHL level. In short, he still has a long way to go.

As for comparing him to Myers, once again, every NHL connected individual I've had the privileged to ask, including a couple of GM's, it's not even close, Myers is volumes ahead. I think the hate from fans as to what "they want Myers to be" and what Myers was always projected to be and is, provides a stark divide in assessing NHL talent. In short, those of you not satisfied, come back down to earth, Myers is still the top of the crop in Buffalo in Defenseman, that, according to every individual I've spoken with to date, and it's not even close. And I'm no Myers cheer leader, but I cannot deny what those in the know say.
- TWGsabres

Great post