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Impressions of, and questions concerning--C, Kyle Criscuolo |
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Center--Kyle Criscuolo
DOB: May 5, 1992 (Age, 26)
Draft: Undrafted
How acquired: FA
Last contract signed: July 1, 2017, 2yr./$1.3 million (two-way)
Final year of contract: 2018-19
2017-18 Stats: 9 games played | 0 goals | 0 assists | 0 points | -4 | 8:01 ATOI
Buffalo Career Stats: 9 games | 0 goals | 0 assists | 0 points | -4 | 8:01 ATOI
What we wrote preseason: Sabres GM Jason Botterill fortified his AHL team this off season and Criscuolo is a big part of that. The speedy center with plenty of hockey smarts finished his first full season with 41 points (17+24) in 76 games for the Grand Rapids Griffins (DET) and should bring that (and hopefully more) to the Amerks this season.
What we wrote mid-season: Another player signed more for the Amerks than Buffalo. 'Criso' was also the beneficiary injuries to the Sabres roster and ended up playing in eight games for Buffalo. He failed to register a point but is playing very well for Rochester.
Impressions on his play this year: "Crisco" is a fast, heady player who lacks ideal NHL size (5'8" 170 lbs.) but has proven to be effective in the AHL. Not much to say about his nine-game stint in Buffalo which also was his first taste of the NHL in two full pro seasons. In Rochester he scored 34 points (15+19) in 51 games and is signed through next season. Should injuries hit the Sabres forward ranks again, perhaps he'll get another short stint but until then, he's needed in Rochester to help the Amerks.
Questions moving forward: Should he get the call sometime next season, will he get his first NHL goal or point?
Contract info via CapFriendly, stats via sabres.com and hockey reference.com.