2025-09-20 Chaika Nizhny Novgorod 5 @ Rysi 1 (MHL)
Sabitov is a reactive, instinct-driven goalie who relies on athleticism and reflexes. His quick feet help him maintain good angles and he competes hard, never giving up on a play. However, because he depends more on instincts than technique, he can be exposed at times. He often lets pucks hit his body instead of cleanly tracking and absorbing them, resulting in dangerous rebounds and delayed recoveries. He’s also vulnerable to tips and scramble plays, where instinctive reactions replace structured movements. I also noted a habit of dropping on one knee instead of into a full butterfly, leaving his five-hole exposed. While Sabitov’s speed and compete level make him intriguing, his technical flaws and reactive tendencies currently make him too risky to project as an early pick in the 2026 draft.