Sabres add rookie D Nikita Zadorov to roster, send D Rasmus Ristolainen to AHL Rochester

BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Buffalo Sabres have added rookie defenceman Nikita Zadorov to the active roster and sent fellow defenceman Rasmus Ristolainen to AHL Rochester.

The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Zadorov, who was in the lineup Saturday night when the Sabres hosted Colorado, can play up to nine games with Buffalo before the team must decide whether to activate the first year of his entry-level contract or return him to London of the OHL.

Ristolainen was sent down to make room for Zadorov. The Sabers selected Ristolainen with the No. 8 pick in the NHL draft in June and then took Zadorov eight picks later.