Buffalo, NY -- Through the past two years, the Buffalo Sabres have added a bit of an international flair to their roster by way of the first round.
In 2011, the Sabres selected Finnish forward Joel Armia with the 16th overall selection. They followed that up in June of 2012 by selecting center Mikhail Grigorenko from Russia and forward Zemgus Girgensons from Latvia.
This week all three are making their Development Camp debuts, and they're doing it together. The trio make up one of the best lines at First Niagara Center as Grigorenko centers Girgensons (left wing) and Armia (right wing).
Just two days in, the partnership displays obvious talent which made them first round selections in the first place. Armia likes the way things have been going.
"Of course great," he said. "They're really talented players and good with the puck so I like to play with them."
The three are in similar standing. All have boatloads of potential, and all are considered on the fringe of being close to NHL levels.
Perhaps the closest of the three is Grigorenko, who many considered one of the most league-ready players eligible in the 2012 Entry Draft.
There's no doubt in his mind, he knows what he wants this season.
"Just to make the NHL," Grigorenko declared.
With some room available on the roster at center after the Derek Roy trade, the Sabres' top pick has a chance to crack the squad.
"Just work hard," Grigorenko replied when asked what it would take to make the team. "Work hard in the gym, work hard on the ice and be ready mentally to play in the NHL."
In the case of Girgensons, there's a bit more mystery. While committed to the University of Vermont and eligible to play in the AHL this season, the forward still hasn't made a decision about what avenue he'll go down next year.
"I think it'll just be my own decision," Girgensons remarked. "I don't know yet, that's something I have to talk through this week and we'll see."
"I asked a lot of people about it," he continued. "I'm not going to say their thoughts but the decision I'm going to make is going to be what I want."
The trio and the rest of the development camp roster has one more day of on-ice workouts before the Blue and Gold scrimmage scheduled for Thursday at First Niagara Center.
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