The Rochester Amerks lineup has been ravaged by injuries and post trade deadline call-ups by the Buffalo Sabres.
Help is on the way in the form of a gifted centerman called Mikhail Grigorenko.
When Pat LaFontaine and Ted Nolan appeared on the scene in Buffalo abck in November, they immediately made the decision to get the kids out of Buffalo. They sent Grigorenko and Zadorov back to juniors. Ristolainen and Larsson were were sent to Rochester.
LaFontaine felt it best for the kids to playing more meaningful minutes while playing with their peers outside of the NHL. Grigorenko hasn't been hampered by the demotion back to juniors. he won 60.2% of his draws in the regular season, including 67% at home (55.7% in playoffs). He played north of 20 minutes TOI per game. His play on the defensive side of the puck improved. His skating was improved. The kid transferred his Buffalo experiences back to Quebec where he became a more well-rounded player.
On Sunday afternoon, the Sabres assigned Grigorenko to Rochester. His final season in junior hockey ended when his Quebec Remparts were bounced from The Q playoffs on Friday night. Grigo's suitcase and hockey bags have been busy this season. He started the season in Buffalo, then played for his mother Russia at the WJCs in Malmo, Sweden. He then played in Quebec, and now is destined for Rochester where he'll get the opportunity to show his new GM Tim Murray what he's made of from a hockey perspective. in many ways, this is a clean slate opportunity for Grigorenko who was unfortunately caught directly in the crossfire of the drama and turbulence that resulted with the departures from the Buffalo organization of Lindy Ruff, Darcy Regier, and Pat Lafontaine. Murray doesn't know Grigorenko. There are no pre-conceived notions offrom the new GM for the former 2011 first rounder (12th overall).
Its better this way.
The kid is finally eligible to play his first full season in the AHL. I think he'll benefit greatly from playing against competitive hockey against other top prospects and thirty somethings who are all looking for their promotion to the NHL.
Grigorenko played in two playoff games for the Amerks last spring games after his Remarts were knocked out of the second round of the QMJHL playoffs.
Grigorenko didn't disappoint in his 23 games played in Quebec this season. He scored 15 goals and added 24 assists. . The Russian Rifle represented the Remparts well in their first round playoff round, scoring a goal and chipping in 8 helpers in Quebec's five-game playoff loss to Rouyn-Noranda.
Grigorenko has also played in 18 NHL games with the Buffalo Sabres this season (1 goal, 2 assists).
Prior to joining Quebec on January 11, Grigorenko scored a team-leading 5 goals and 8 points in seven games for Russia at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship in Sweden.
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Gustav Nyquist is good.
Scary good!
The Red Wings have struggled mightily at times to score goals this season with their two best players missing from the lineups due to injuries. Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk have been shelved long term as they recover from injuries.
The Wings have needed a hero to carry them in their hour of need. Nyquist has elevated his game to an MVP candidate level just when his teammates have needed him the most as they are in a four team dog fight for the two Eastern conference wild card playoff berths.
Nyquist has been other worldly for the Wings in their quest to secure a playoff spot for the 23rd season in a row.
• Nyquist has scored an amazing 22 in his last 27 games.
• He has 10 goals and two assists in the past eight games.
• Nyquist has scored 12 goals in the month of March, including this beauty from Sunday afternoon against the Tampa Lightning.
Gustav Nyquist is a witch.
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