Buffalo, NY (WGR 550) -- Sabres GM Darcy Regier has announced that rookie Mikhail Grigorenko will stay with the Buffalo Sabres and play tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Grigorenko's 5-game tryout didn't bring any goals or assists but Regier says that his play has shown enough to merit more time in the NHL.
"One of the things with young players and ice time...is to not be a liabilty. That in turn gets him the next shift. And to the extent that they're not scored on, they're not giving up chances, they gain confidence of the head coach. It allows him to get out the next shift. I think when you combine that with contributing offensively, at least on the chance side, and the points aren't there...but we think that that will come."
Grigorenko now enters year one of his entry level contract. This means that he'll hit Restricted Free Agency in three years. If he plays in 23 games this season that would count as a year accrued, and would mean that his UFA status comes a year earlier as well. Any less than the 23 games would mean the UFA does not tick off a year but the RFA status does.
The Sabres are home against the Maple Leafs at First Niagara Center. As always, you can hear the play-by-play action on WGR Sports Radio 550.
Stop all the giddiness at FNC we need top level hockey mgt before we worry about one third line center.
01/28/2013 11:44AM
Send him back to Juniors
Enough of Grigs experiment for the moment. This team needs a blockbuster trade to happen and fast. This has been stale for a long time now. This team needs a Getzlaf even if it takes Myers to get him. Do something huge. And get rid of the shrimps Gerbe and Ennis for pucks.
01/28/2013 12:03PM
Grigs
He really has nothing to gain by going back to the QMJHL, he knows he can dominate there, and I hope Ruff and Darcy realize that. Leave him here, get the experience. Remember Stamkos only scored a handful of goals his rookie year, not a good comparisonin talent, but he needs this year to find his way, and take his licks.
01/28/2013 12:05PM
Grigorenko
Just send him back before idiot Ruff ruins this guy too.
01/28/2013 12:12PM
The most important decision is Ruff himself
With Ruff running the team, no matter with any player. The Sabres = The Mediocre Bunch
01/28/2013 12:12PM
who else is on the ice?
be interesting to know who came out to the "optional" skate
01/28/2013 12:23PM
keeping grigorenko
it's a no brainer, mr ruff. keep him on the team. too much up-side to mikhail.
01/28/2013 12:25PM
What is taking so long?
Why does Regier and Ruff do this to the fans. He got his five games. Make a decision already and send him back to juniors. This season is going no where. Let him finish his junior eligibility and let him start a full training camp next season. Don't ruin this kid.
01/28/2013 12:37PM
PLEASE SEND HIM BACK
Before Ruff ruins the kids career like he has others, please send him back to Quebec!
01/28/2013 12:41PM
Send him back to Quebec
Before Ruff ruins him
01/28/2013 1:08PM
center
the sabres need to keep him and make him the #1 center. ennis is the new roy and hodgson is the new connolly. the really needs to make a trade and try to get a center.
01/28/2013 1:14PM
Send him down!
It's better for his development. He'll get more ice time and it will improve his confidence as he'll have more experience being "the guy". In addition if we bring him up and give him meaningful ice-time, then that takes ice-time away from Hodgson and Ennis, who are both better, and could use the ice-time along with their line mates.
01/28/2013 1:21PM
Keep the Rookie.....
Like all Sabres fans I was axious for this lock out shortened season to begin....Now I wonder why....This team with Lindy Ruff as the coach just won't be a winner....We have a rookie in Grigorenko with talent but no experience and Lindy admitted to mis-managing his time in the loss the other nite...The kid is a talent that could be an asset to the Sabres and Lindy doesn't seem to know how to incorperate him into the lineup?????????????????? Grigorenko STAYS.......Ruff GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOS
01/28/2013 1:39PM
You've been Ruff-ified!
Congratulations Russkie, Lindy Ruff has once again taken a promising career (ok, based upon the cheerleading Buffalo media) and set it back years in a matter of days! How does Ruff do it? Well, you'd think that it would reflect upon him as a coach but that's not the case with the Sabres who reward that kind of behavior with extension after extension. Oh well, don't be so surprised next time folks.
01/28/2013 2:11PM
#25
He's already better than Ennis and Hecht, if he got Ennis ice time he'd explode onto the NHL stage, Stafford and Marcus would benefit by not having a center that likes to waterbug the puck around the ice.
01/28/2013 2:17PM
"Lindy Ruff gets FIRED"
Admit it, it moved a little when you read this!
01/28/2013 2:18PM
Keep Him In Buffalo!
Let him learn with the big club! He has done well with NO glaring mistakes!
01/28/2013 2:20PM
Cmon Coach
Yes he had his best game because he was playing with some offensive minded players rather than with Ott and Hecht and Kaleta. If the team needs offense, KEEP HIM but for God's sake USE HIM. Let him do his thing. Don't stick him on a line with Hecht and Ott.
01/28/2013 3:50PM
Doesn't matter.....
Lindy already messed this kids head up. Kid is too worried about making mistakes. He isn't playing naturally. Remember Lindy believes in conformity to his system not coaching to a players talent.
01/28/2013 3:55PM
Where are the blogs?
Who's manning the helm on these blogs. Once again, Garth on Hockey Buzz would have already 200 comments at least. Quit staaling WGR!!! Has Ellis and Gerbe been waived yet?
01/28/2013 4:04PM
grigs
leave the kid here let him learn the game they have no choice they dont have any centers
01/28/2013 4:06PM
Send Him Down
Grigorenko's been pretty solid these last 5 games. Solid, but not amazing. And so far the Sabres' season as a whole has been far from amazing as well. Don't waste the first year of this kid's deal on what will likely be a mediocreseason from the Sabres.
01/28/2013 4:13PM
We don't need this kid yet...
It's safer to keep Hecht and Ellis. Losing patience with Ruff and Regier. I think the time has come to make a "signature" Pat LaFontaine type trade. How much more mediocrity is Pegula willing to go through?
01/28/2013 4:13PM
Hodgson was a great trade for Sabres?
Currently after 5 games...
Hodgson 3 goals 3 poinys.
Kassian 3 goals 3 points 12 pims.
Shut up.
01/28/2013 4:17PM
grigorenko
Send him back this year and let him get some confidence in the minors, and bring up someone from rochester.
01/28/2013 4:23PM
grigorenko decision
when is the deadline for adding MIKHAIL GRIGORENKO?
01/28/2013 4:24PM
Sabres decision should be: RUFF MUST GO...
SOMeDAY.
01/28/2013 4:25PM
when?
what's the dead line for a decision?
01/28/2013 4:48PM
Ruff-Regier matters more than any players on this team
You give this Coach-GM the best team in NHL, see if they can even make the Playoff. It IS the coach who can make or break a hockey team.
01/28/2013 5:31PM
Keep Him
keep him up. he will not learn to play at the NHL level in juniors. Look at how well Stamkos adapted.
01/28/2013 6:25PM
Schopp should be fired
Oh so stupid topic...What did Terry Pegula mean by the reason for existence is to win the Stanley Cup. Ask him yourself you idiot! As far as this blog...send Grigorenko back. He won't work under Ruff. Look what happened to Adam last season. FIRE RUFF and go anew next season and that will begin the first step towards a reason for existence would be my response to Schopp. The Sabres need an offensive minded coach with what they have.
01/28/2013 8:10PM
send him to quebec
before Lindy's system un-installs this kids offensive skills, send him back to junior. Hecht signing, and Regier extension are proof that this program continues to be bass-akwards
01/28/2013 11:14PM
Back to Junior
He's not ready for the speed of this game. Let him come back in the fall as a 19 year old. Team as its comprised today is going to make playoffs anyway.
Speaking of that I would suggest Darcy pick up the phone and call colorado. Offer Stafford, Ennis and a d prospect (not McNabb or Pysk...maybe Brennan)in exchange for Paul Stasny and Jamie McGinn. Avs are tanking early and these two might be ripe for the picking, since Avs already have Duschene in the middle and it would give them the $ to sign OReilly who is holding out and playing in the KHL. Wake up Darcy. You need a #1 center. Stasny gets Vanek and Pommer and Hodgson gets McGuinn and Foligno. Ott goes in the middle with Leino (when healthy)and Kaleta and Hecht gets Ellis (enter McCormick when he comes back) and Scott. Gerbe to waivers (minors) and Mancari or Porter up. Size matters.
01/28/2013 11:22PM
No surprise
Sabres management can't even make this decision with authority. This team has been "on the fence" about everything since trying to sign Drury and Briere. For the love of god, DO SOMETHING!!!!!
01/29/2013 12:49AM
Back in the day....
I was thinking back to the day when the Sabres had another important choice on a young talented unknown Russian player. Back in 1989 a young man we know as Alex Mogilny came secretly across the border,deserted the Russian army to play hockey in Buffalo. Back then the organization needed to make a choice and a chance. Back in 1989 they made the right decision. They gave Alex a chance to be great! He played on the top line,got lots of time in the game and was given the tools to be great. Today 24 years later our new Russian star sat most of the time,was put on the ice with 2 blunt tools to display his talents and are threatening to send his talents away. Instead of giving him the chance to succeed he is setup for failure. A clear lack of vision and leadership and ultimately courage. Sorry Lindy,you're no longer the man you used to be...and neither are the Sabres!
01/29/2013 7:01AM
Save his career please!!
Please do Grigorenko a big favor and send him back to minors. Maybe Pegula will realize this year that Ruff and Regier couldnt run a pee-wee team and he fires both of them. This kid looks lost playing Ruff's system, so send him back before we completely ruin this kid!!
01/29/2013 8:19AM
keep him
it seems like an opportune time to give #25 his NHL start...here's why.
Instead of an 82 game grind after being the star in juniors where they have a much shorter season, he can play a half season at the faster NHL pace and be ready for a full season next year. A gradual curve if you will,both physical and mentally as well.
Of course we'll send him down so he doesnt use up minutes for Matt Ellis,but...
01/29/2013 8:33AM
What I'd Do
Send him back and let the Sabres go for a lottery pick.
01/29/2013 8:42AM
WGR on Sabres
All I can say is pure shill radio. Where are the days where the media was a big help in getting a coach fired??? No help from WGR. Love that mediocrity. What a joke! A joke!!!
01/29/2013 9:03AM
Still no decision tells you all you need to know.
That the Sabres mgmnt doesn't know what they want to do with Grigirenko...is SO teling. This management team has no idea what it's doing and what team they want on the ice...the record the last five years is enough to judge them by.
They haveto be fired before the Sabres will ever improve and that is Mr.Pegula's fault. Loyalty to your Management team will win us nothing for anotehr 15 years Terry....
01/29/2013 9:10AM
The LittleTeam That Can't...
Can't make a decision, can't make the playoffs, can't decide what kind of team they are, can't do jack....it's sad that even a new owner can't make a difference.
Terry- find some Upper Mgmnt that also wants to make a Stanley Cup run rather than keep the team from movng forward. Regiuer and Ruff are afraid and their teams play afraid....mostly afraid of the coach it seems. What more do you need to see from R&R?? I guess a 48 game season without making the playoffs will give you an excuse that they did not get a full year to prove themselves?
The Sabres are quickly becoming a joke with this Grigirenko decision.
01/29/2013 9:53AM
Gris
I am amazed at the number of GMs and coaches on here. I say we trade Myers and Miller for Getzlaf and then when the Sabres lose 3 in a row we call him a bum and trade him for Bob Corkum. Then we get rid of lindy hire another coach then when we lose 3 again we fire him and hire Bob Corkum to coach.
01/29/2013 11:38AM
Optimism?
Most of you sound like little whiny kids who got their toy taken away from their parents. None of you are hockey experts, so shush. Have some optimism. Maybe then, you won't get super stressed about a sports team, who does give fans excitement. TheSabres aren't like the Bills. At least we have a shot at the playoffs, and possibly the Cup.
01/29/2013 11:45AM
It's only 4 games in....but....
I was so excited for the start of the season, and when the team was 2-0. I saw flaws (no face-off wins, only 1 top line that can score), but was pleasantly happy with Miller and the new edge with physical play. I can only say that this team, now at 2-2, shows more signs of having regressed (didn't Darcy promise this with the Hodgson trade?) than progressed. Living in DC, I almost mistakenly paid $210 for tickets to the Caps/ Sabres game at $70/each for 3, but I'm glad that I didn't waste my money. Sabres need a top line Center and wing. I mean, a REAL top line centerman, proven by points in the NHL. Shane Doan would have been perfect. I also like Dustin Brown in LA. Until we get that, we have no scoring depth, apparently no goaltending depth, and a coach and GM married to some system rather than the talent on hand. I like Ruff, I just don't see his value anymore.
01/29/2013 11:58AM
coach
Mr. Pegula and Mr.Black blew their chance to change the direction of the orginazation when they failed to bump Ruff upstairs and hire Dineen as head coach. 3 rookie of the years in Portland and defensive player of the year. He obviously knows how to coach young players to get the most out of them as evidenced by Florida making the playoffs last year. Ruff has never been able to handle the fact that young players make mistakes or given them the opportunity to learn from them and grow as players.
Someone explain to me why Brennan can't get in this line-up?
01/29/2013 12:19PM
He stays?
There goes another offensive talent that will be wrecked under Ruff and the system. The reason for existence is to keep being mediocre, selling out the FNC, making more excuses, and keep extending Regier and Ruff.
01/29/2013 12:22PM
A Big Deal is Needed
We will NOT make the playoffs this year, the big deal is Milsie for a one or two centerman and then Myers for a top goalie, one of the two in st. Louis,or Luongo,Myers is too soft for the Eastern Conference, skinner outworked and out hustled him....
01/29/2013 1:34PM
hurray.........
here come the BENCHINGS,and 4TH line games for the rookie once he doesnt score in a while OR makes ONE mistake that leads to a goal or lost game!!!!!!!!! cant wait for LINDSAY RUFFLES to ruin him !!!!!!! psst sabre fans ,they AREN'T going to the playoffs, TRUST me!!!
01/29/2013 1:40PM
its all about next year
they KNOW they arent going anywhere this year so its a smart move to let the "ruskie" play in the nhl and learn,grow and get better for next year!!!!!at the very least 'absolut', sales will be strong in buffalo,bottoms up!
01/29/2013 2:28PM
Wakeup Pegula
Why reward Darcy for missing playoffs? Its time to clean house.
01/29/2013 4:31PM
Stop trying to win 1-0!
We're not tough enough to win much that way and it's boring as hell to watch. I'd rather watch the Sabres go end-to-end and lose 6-4 than watch them lose 2-1. Let the talented players skate and make plays. You may be surprised at theresult. Stop putting me to sleep Lindy, please.
01/29/2013 4:50PM
Linemates
This kid definitely needs linemates. Ott might do OK, but the constant rotation of replacements for Leino ain't gonna cut it. He needs at least one highly skilled linemate to compliment him and perhaps one more defensive-minded winger....If Stafford/Ennis/Foligno started clicking and Grigo got some skilled linemates, we could roll 3 lines and teams whouldn't be able to match up.....
01/29/2013 7:28PM
Guys
This isn't about Lindy.
Let the kid stay, he's not going to learn anything about NHL style of play in the QMJHL.
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