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Sabres goalie Makarov signs in KHL

Buffalo Sabres v New York Islanders

UNIONDALE, NY - APRIL 04: Playing in his first NHL game, Andrey Makarov #1 of the Buffalo Sabres takes a water break during the game against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on April 4, 2015 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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Andrey Makarov, Buffalo’s pending RFA netminder, has signed a two-year deal in the KHL with Spartak Moscow, the league announced on Monday.

Makarov, 23, has appeared in one career game for the Sabres, spending the majority of his pro career with the club’s AHL affiliate in Rochester.

That lone NHL appearance came in ’14-15. Makarov spent all of last year in the minors and appeared in 22 games for the Amerks, going 9-9-2 with a 2.82 GAA and .916 save percentage.

His departure comes after he was passed by Swedish ‘tender Linus Ullmark on the club’s depth chart -- Ullmark, 22, got the call up to Buffalo last year in the wake of Robin Lehner’s early season injury, and proceeded to appear in 20 games.

Jason Kasdorf, a prospect signed out of R.P.I., also got a game at the NHL level last year. The Sabres also have 2011 draftee Nathan Lieuwen in the mix as far as goalie prospects go, which could have essentially squeezed Makarov out.