As reported by Die by the Blade on June 25, the Buffalo Sabres and general manager Jason Botterill did not tender an offer to restricted free agent Viktor Antipin.
Antipin’s brief NHL career was a maelstrom of intermittent usage, mediocre performances, and one crushing hit. His story has become fairly common – KHL standout comes to NHL to play in the world’s best league, but can’t fit in and leaves too soon.
Fans may remember Vadim Shipachyov; the young Russian superstar who signed in Vegas for the 2017-18 season. Shipyachov didn’t make it through November before he was back home with SKA St.