Let Grigorenko off his leash

To begin today's story I'd like to open for you a window into my email account. Here's a stirring example of the email I get, quoted verbatim:

No, instead it's a nod to my friends at Hallmark who flood my mailbox with information on shows I can't imagine having to watch. But I stay on the mailing list because of the stellar combination of celebrities they promote for their shows -- Tori Spelling and that guy from Ally McBeal, Julia Stiles with Kate Winslet's stuck-up mom in Titanic, etc.

Some combos make sense while others just seem so random.

Like Mikhail Grigorenko and John Scott.

(Whew, I finally got there. Thanks for your patience.)

Wouldn't you know it. Grigorenko, the rare Sabres prospect to draw serious raves in the department of offensive talent, has in five games accrued no points and has even shared ice time with the player on the roster whose presence makes the least sense, Scott. I was at Friday's game which was scoreless after two periods and 1-1 until late and sat annoyed but not surprised that Grigorenko was to play less than seven minutes.
 

Because when you a need a game-changing goal in a defensive struggle, you need Jochen Hecht out there (total ice time: 18:26).

Terry Pegula said upon buying the team two years ago that the new reason for the Sabres' existence was to win the Stanley Cup.

Have we started playing to win yet?

Surely on Friday night Grigorenko made some misstep in his defensive responsibilities that led to his playing so little. And Lindy Ruff probably figured he had the better goalie in the game -- Ryan Miller vs. Dan Ellis -- so stressing defense was the way to go. (Of course, since every goalie in the league is almost equally good there is little justification for this thinking. For their careers Miller makes six more saves than Ellis on every 1,000 shots, or about one every six games.)

 

Pegula's press conference almost two years ago marked one of my happiest days as a sports fan. To think the Sabres were going to shift into overdrive and compete financially and otherwise with the NHL's big dogs was a thrill.

Thing is, they've totally dropped the ball on the "otherwise". And had I known then what I would see the last two years, that day would have been less exciting.

You simply cannot claim a newfound attack mentality on the Stanley Cup and then continually extend the contracts of your coach and general manager in the wake of middling results. Well, I guess you can do this -- but don't ask anyone to take you seriously next time. 

Furthermore while some player moves have been made, others were needed. No trade was made in the middle of last season when it was going off the rails. Derek Roy was dealt a year late. In my opinion, the Sabres still don't have the scoring to win. And any strategy based on a continuing belief that Miller, while good, is such a cut above the league standard in goal is fated to disappoint.
 

And then there's Grigorenko. Darcy Regier, to his credit, took a risk in the draft on a talented player from whom other teams stayed away. Today the Sabres announced that Grigorenko will play beyond the junior tryout period and continue on with them.

To that, I say good. Now give him ice time and keep him the heck away from the lug, Scott.

Next thing you know he'll be paired up with a skateboarding dog. Like Charlie Sheen is.