SAN JOSE -- Sabres General Manager Tim Murray obviously needs to shore up the team's defense corps before next season, but a report Tuesday from Sportsnet says he's taking an immediate step in that direction.

According to Elliotte Friedman's "30 Thoughts" column, the Sabres are expected to sign 24-year-0ld defenseman Viktor Antipin off the Magnitogorsk roster in the KHL. Friedman said the Sabres were battling with Calgary, Chicago, Columbus and Pittsburgh for the services of Antipin.

Antipin has played for the same KHL club for the last five full seasons. He had six goals and 18 assists this year in 59 games. He is listed by Eliteprospects.com at 5-foot-11, 179 pounds and is a left-handed shot. He has played for Russia the last two years in the World Championships.

If signed, Antipin would not join the Sabres until next season. Buffalo could add a college free agent immediately, with speculation continuing over the Sabres being one of the final teams battling for St. Lawrence senior Gavin Bayreuther.