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Sabres angry that Zadorov keeps showing up late for stuff

Buffalo Sabres v Tampa Bay Lightning

Buffalo Sabres v Tampa Bay Lightning

NHLI via Getty Images

Sabres defenseman Nikita Zadorov was held out of Sunday’s shootout loss to Nashville -- the second time he’s been parked due to disciplinary issues this season -- and on Monday, the reason for his latest suspension was revealed:

Habitual tardiness.

[Sabres GM Tim] Murray on Zadorov: “The issue is he is not always punctual”

— WGR 550 (@WGR550) February 23, 2015


Zadorov: I was late for a meeting. 100% unacceptable. Apologized to the team. Don’t want to lose the trust of the team. #Sabres

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) February 23, 2015

This latest transgression comes just weeks after Zadorov was punished for returning late to the Sabres following All-Star weekend. The 19-year-old, who has 13 points in 42 games this year, was reportedly bumped off an oversold return flight form the Dominican Republic -- where he was vacationing with his girlfriend -- and while the club said his actions weren’t intentional, Zadorov still needed to be reprimanded.

“The kid did not do this purposefully, but there’s still a lesson to be learned,” Murray said at the time, per WGR Radio.

Murray delivered a harsher message to Zadorov today.

“I had a talk with Nikita this morning where I did all the talking, he didn’t talk and hopefully the problem is rectified,” he explained. “It was 10 minutes of me talking and not very politely, I told him he’s a good prospect, but he’s not getting the keys to the kingdom here and he has to be a better teammate.”