After six seasons and two Gagarin Cups with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Kontinental Hockey League, Antipin, a smooth-skating defenseman, opted to terminate his contract and come to the NHL. He was 24 when he signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres on May 25, 2017.

The 5-foot-11, 175-pound native of Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan, came to Buffalo after he had 24 points (six goals, 18 assists) in 59 KHL games and was a first-team all-star. He also led defensemen in the KHL playoffs with seven goals and averaged 24:14 of ice time in 18 games, helping Magnitogorsk advance to the Gagarin Cup finals, where it lost St. Petersburg in five games.

Antipin made his NHL debut against the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 5, 2017, and got his first point, an assist, in his sixth game, against the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 24, 2017.

Antipin also has played for Russia internationally. He won a silver medal at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship, a silver at the 2015 IIHF World Championship and bronze medals at the Worlds in 2016 and 2017.

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

• Signed as a free agent by Buffalo, May 25, 2017.