Sabres' Zadorov ready to turn the page on off-ice mistakes

Lesson learned.

So says Buffalo Sabres defenseman Nikita Zadorov, whose first full NHL season was marred by off-ice issues - specifically, failing to show up on time twice - that caused him to be benched for a total of five games.

The incidents were the focal point of the 20-year-old's exit interview with general manager Tim Murray, who was upfront about Zadorov's need to mature as a hockey player, both off and on the ice.

"(Zadorov) has a ways to go in that, and he knows that," Murray said. "A big part of our interview and talk was me putting the onus on him to grow up, to get better, to get fitter, to become a man. We’ll see how that goes."

Zadorov isn't the first young player to suffer from immaturity, however, Murray wants his blue-liner to recognize the potential consequences of his actions.

"When you do certain things your teammates lose respect for you, when you do certain things your coaching staff may lose respect for you," Murray said. "Young players are going to make mistakes, so it’s how you handle those mistakes."

Zadorov's response was brief, but to the point.

"I made a couple mistakes this year off the ice, and it’s all maturity. I’m not going to make them anymore," he said. 

Drafted 16th overall in 2013, Zadorov figures to be a key piece in the Sabres' rebuild.