Player Discussion Victor Antipin

[26CornerBlitz]

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Victor Antipin has undergone quite a transition over the past several months.

Back in May, Antipin signed his one-year entry-level deal with the Sabres after a career-year in the Kontinental Hockey League, and being named as the best defenseman of the Gagarin Cup Final. It would be the first time in Antipin's professional career that he would venture to North America to play hockey.

It was a slow start for Antipin as he made the transition from the bigger, more wide open ice surfaces of the KHL to the smaller and faster rinks in North America. Antipin found himself in and out of the lineup, as he continued to find a way to mold his game up to the NHL standard. He played in eight of the first 12 games of the season, registering one assist while averaging only 14:05 of total ice-time as a bottom-pair defender.

In 10 of the last 12 games played, Antipin has started to find his comfort level in the NHL. He's registered three more assists to his stat line, and his average ice-time has gone up three full minutes. Antipin has also started to earn more playing time on the powerplay, and is starting to earn the trust of head coach Phil Housley on the blue line.

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[DJN21]

His work defensively still needs a lot of improvement but I will say to his credit when I see him wind up and shoot he' the only dman I trust to actually get his shot through.

Considering how pitiful our pp is I'd love to see him being given a bigger role. Stop trying to run the pp through ror and eichel on opposite face off circles and start planting kane and Reinhart in front and letting antipin shoot from the point. Eichel and Ryan will fetch pucks and still get chances anyways...

 

[Howie Hodge]

He's not too bad. On this team he's certainly been able to move above the slugs we've been forced to utilize this season. After Scandella and Ristolainen he is probably the most talented defenseman. Well unless Bogosian can get (and stay healthy - big IF) back and thrive under Housley.

 

[jBuds]

He’s exactly what this team would need if it were good in other areas. Or any *one* other area. He’s always thinking North, he’s always fluid, he gets his shots off quickly and seems to be fairly accurate. He can skate. He’s just in the middle of a shit storm of a unit right now, and with such a poor team, you can’t really carve out his role with too many other weaknesses, from him and the rest of the unit.

I’m lazy, so please - someone who is motivated to put in any research on this team - correct me if I’m wrong. But it feels like the penalties have tapered off, which were your first large problem if you’re a coach trying to insert him into the lineup. With those seemingly down, you have a bit more leniency to work with him by dressing and playing him heavy for a rookie.

 

[Chainshot]

Yeah, he's only taken one minor in the last 10 games he's played.

 

[brian_griffin]

I was excited with the acquisition, because it's a no-risk all-upside scenario, just like getting a UDFA Collegian.
I thought he had a rough start (penalties, smaller ice, partner familiarity, etc.) and questioned why he was sitting out initially - was it injuries? Did we ever know?

From what I've seen the last 10-12 games, and I've seen only ~half of them, he's been fine. Honestly, he doesn't even make the top 10 of my concerns with this team - either "factors" / "issues" or individual players.

 

[slip]

My only knocks on Antipin is his diminutive stature and average speed. But he's got good instincts and uses smart positioning to offset his physical deficiencies. Not sure he's suited for anything more than a 3rd pairing offensive specialist role, but between him and Beaulieu in that role, I gotta go with the far less brain-fart prone Antipin.

 

[itwasaforwardpass]

He's benched in favor of gorges again.

Out of all our blundering defenders I don't know why he's got the shortest leash possible. Any mistake and hes benched next game. None of the other d have had their due time in the press box.

I wish we could have him in Rochester playing big minutes and let him develop away from this mess. I know he's waiver exempt so he could but I'm assuming he's got some agreement nhl or khl.

 

[Chainshot]

I've been sitting here trying to figure out a way to take something positive out of benching him again. After nearly 30 minutes, I still have nothing outside of working Gorges in is a showcasing move for scouts in immediate attendance tonight.

 

[Yatzhee]

He's actually been decent. Certainly better than Beaulieu and McCabe, imo.

 

[valet]

Antipin has been much better lately, and so has McCabe. They're not really getting their praises sung too much because the team can't win, but I like what I see for now.

 

[darcyRegier]

Incompetent management by BUF

 

[TheMistyStranger]

I certainly hope that doesn't happen.

 

[Chainshot]

Treatment? Is that like Andrei Mironov complaining about masseuses?

Seriously though, it would suck to lose him.

 

[Buffaloed]

Incompetent management by BUF

This is why we can't have nice things.

 

[sincerity0]

“Dude they played Josh f***ing Gorges over you on many occassions” as Antipin signs his KHL contract

 

[CrazyPsycho]

Wouldnt blame him one bit

 

[Royal Thunder]

From day one it never felt like Botts/Housley had any idea what they had in Antipin.

 

[1point21Gigawatts]

Incompetent management by BUF

Ah, dammit. I am sure the constant benchings and being on a last place team is enough incentive.

 

[Kyndig]

This organization will go nowhere fast if it can't recognize the difference in Antipin vs Gorges/Beaulieu/McCabe...or why Nolan is even on the team.

 

[joshjull]

Incompetent management by BUF

Didn’t Kalnins say were were looking to trade Antipin at the deadline?

 

[Chainshot]

Didn’t Kalnins say were were looking to trade Antipin at the deadline?

He did. He's also had Girgensons traded before too.

That said, he was on with Antipin honoring his agreement to sign even with the regime change.

 

[joshjull]

He did. He's also had Girgensons traded before too.

That said, he was on with Antipin honoring his agreement to sign even with the regime change.

Yes he was.

 

[Dubi Doo]

One of the things that has irked me with Housley is that he gives certain players a much longer leash. Either that or he has trouble recognizing who's playing a more effective game. He tugged that leash on Antipin extremely early on, and always had a firm grip ready to tug it again if he made a couple of mistakes.

I am not a fan of how Antipin was treated here. He never had a fair look. It's extremely frustrating given how depleted our D core is. It would've been nice to see if Antipin could be expanded his role on this team, but Housley never cared to give him an opportunity to adapt to the NHL game.

 

[Aladyyn]

I'd go back home too.