Buffalo Sabres fans can take a sigh of relief. Days after receiving a huge contract offer from the KHL, Mikhail Grigorenko put pen to paper and signed on the dotted line to solidfy the fact he wants to be a Buffalo Sabre!
While it took a bit longer than most would have liked, and he waited until fellow first round draft pick (14th) Zemgus Girgensons had signed his entry-level deal, on Wednesday Grigorenko signed his entry-level deal with the Sabres.
Grigorenko who was thought by many to be a top 5 draft pick, was drafted 12th overall by
the Sabres. Immediately after getting drafted everyone wanted to know if he'd stay on path to the NHL or return to Russia to play in the KHL. Right from the start he said he wanted to play in the NHL and after a slight scare last week, the 6 foot 3 forward signed a three-year entry-level deal with the Sabres.
“In the KHL it’s hard to prepare yourself for the NHL. The NHL was my dream and that’s why I came here, because I knew I would be more ready for the NHL. ~ Mikhail Grigorenko
Perhaps the offer from the KHL gave Sabres GM Darcy Regier a little extra motivation to get the deal done.
Even better than locking up one first round draft pick, is the ability to lock up two! Near the end of development camp the Sabres were able to agree to terms with their second first round pick Girgensons. It was a tough decision for Girgensons who had to give up NCAA eligibilty and a spot on the University of Vermont mens hockey team when he signed his three-year entry-level contract.
“I always felt that the NCAA was the best way for me todevelop on and off the ice. After attending the Buffalo Sabres camp, and learning their plans for me, I feel I am ready to begin my professional career.” ~ Zemgus Girensons
Grigorenko and Girgensons were drafted to fix the hole down the middle for the Sabres. Now that both are signed, they may be able to become the solution sooner than later. While Girgenson may start the year off in Rochester and gradually work his way up to a full time spot with the Sabres, there is a good chance Grigorenko will be in the starting lineup come October.
Because of Grigorenko's age (18) he is ineligible to play for the Amerks (AHL) and would have to be returned to the QMJHL if he does not crack the roster. The only problem, there isn't anything left for him in the "Q". In his rookie season he scored 40 goals and added 45 assists while playing in just 59 games to lead all rookies in scoring. Usually by the time a player is in their second or third year of pro hockey they start putting up solid numbers. Grigorenko was able to dominate the league while still in his rookie season, finishing fourth in goals scored! Not to mention he didn't play a full season.
Another interesting side not to add to Grigorenko and his time in the "Q" was his line mate, Fredrick Roy. Have you heard that name before? You should have for two reasons; one, because he is the son of NHL legend Patrick Roy and two, because he was just signed by the Sabres after development camp. With the help of Grigorenko playing on his line, Roy was able to finish fourth in scoring with 92 points. Could this be an interesting line combo for the Sabres during training camp or even a pre-season game?
One of the best things about these two players, is there ability to work together and play multiple roles. During the blue and gold scrimmage, Grigorenko and Girgensons played
on a line together with 2011 first round draft pick Joel Armia.
Locking up these two future NHL stars (or Sabres future stars) is a great thing for the Sabres and gets fans excited for the future and what's to come. In two years when Grigorenko, Girgensons and Armia are all playing in the NHL together alongside Ennis and Foligno, this could become a very dangerous Buffalo Sabres team!
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