Fact is, Sean Couturier is the exception, not the rule. Grigorenko's only going to get better -- significantly better. Many prospects struggle in these spots. It doesn't help he's skating with plugs in unremarkable TOI, but I suspect Ruff's worried about how he'll perform short-term in heavy, tough minutes.

If I'm making the decision, I'm boosting his TOI, and making good use of him on home ice where you can really protect his minutes through line-matching. On the road, it'll be more of a challenge.
- Travis Yost

That's what we hope for - hell, have him nipping at Ennis' heels taking a shift from time to time on the second line.

The good news is, like you said he's going to get significantly better, and while he hasn't been getting mentions in the scoresheet, he's also not looked terrible out there. Making things happen, for the most part making smart plays.

Man, I had to call like 7 people to find takers.

Must be the smell.
- nfph

I realized this morning the gf was working late and I had no sitter for the boy. Guess we'll just watch it on the boob tube intead.

No, I would move him up in the lineup, not down. Especially at home.
- Travis Yost

Oh I know, every person in the world would, exept for Lindy Ruff. I really dont like him as a coach.

I realized this morning the get was working late and I had no sitter for the boy. Guess we'll just watch it on the boob tube intead.
- dadeadhead

Just as well - though from what I'm hearing the usual Tor game markup isn't strongly in effect today... so glad I could find someone.

its super bowl sunday who wants that game?
- hubie

I do. The Bills and the thugs and criminals that play the game of football have turned me off from the game the last few years.

I wont bother rushing back home to watch the Super Bowl either. Couldnt care any less about it really.

The Bills hiring a college coaching staff pretty much was the icing on the cake for me. But in the NFL players in general just nauseate me. They all have the same sob story of growing up in the hood blah blah blah & blah. Perhaps if they stop killing themselves , their girlfriends, their friends, stop running innocent people over and leaving the scene and stop the animal cruelty dog fighting rings perhaps , just perhaps I would be more involved with the NFL.

Look at how they praise that scumbag Ray Lewis. Typical NFL garbage and scum!

Fact is, Sean Couturier is the exception, not the rule. Grigorenko's only going to get better -- significantly better. Many prospects struggle in these spots. It doesn't help he's skating with plugs in unremarkable TOI, but I suspect Ruff's worried about how he'll perform short-term in heavy, tough minutes.

If I'm making the decision, I'm boosting his TOI, and making good use of him on home ice where you can really protect his minutes through line-matching. On the road, it'll be more of a challenge.
- Travis Yost

Ruff is more worried about brining the best of his defenseive ability out, then he is letting Grigorenko use his natural offensive talent.

That's what we hope for - hell, have him nipping at Ennis' heels taking a shift from time to time on the second line.

The good news is, like you said he's going to get significantly better, and while he hasn't been getting mentions in the scoresheet, he's also not looked terrible out there. Making things happen, for the most part making smart plays.
- nfph

Teams are certainly looking to catch him on the ice w/ their best line(s).

Grigorenko's three most most common F opponents, non-Carolina(two GP inflates that): Ovechkin, Backstrom, Kessel. Note they played Toronto and Washington on the road.

I want to see Ruff boost his minutes at home, perhaps w/ second or third-line play. Definitely not on L4, especially when you can (mostly) control who he's playing against, which I think is just as -- if not more -- important than linemates.

I follow your theory here.

He is 18 of course, so.

I have said that I would like to see him come away from battling along the boards with a puck in both zones a little more often.

He needs time and needs to be played with the right line mates.

What did Tyler Seguin have in his rookie year ? 11 goals I think ?

Give Grigger some time I think he will be fine from some of the passes I have seen this kid make already.

And yes Vanek is a machine!!!
- BuffaloHardHat

I'll 2nd that! ... and yes, Vanek is a machine, but why do I get the feeling he is more like an 8 yr old GM 6 cylinder with 135,000 miles on it, well taken care of, instead of a
5 yr old BMW with 35,000 miles on it, that has been stored for the winters?

Just sayin...

Sabres punish the Leafs tonight: 5-1

Fact is, Sean Couturier is the exception, not the rule. Grigorenko's only going to get better -- significantly better. Many prospects struggle in these spots. It doesn't help he's skating with plugs in unremarkable TOI, but I suspect Ruff's worried about how he'll perform short-term in heavy, tough minutes.

If I'm making the decision, I'm boosting his TOI, and making good use of him on home ice where you can really protect his minutes through line-matching. On the road, it'll be more of a challenge.
- Travis Yost

Good post. Well said!

I do. The Bills and the thugs and criminals that play the game of football have turned me off from the game the last few years.

I wont bother rushing back home to watch the Super Bowl either. Couldnt care any less about it really.

The Bills hiring a college coaching staff pretty much was the icing on the cake for me. But in the NFL players in general just nauseate me. They all have the same sob story of growing up in the hood blah blah blah & blah. Perhaps if they stop killing themselves , their girlfriends, their friends, stop running innocent people over and leaving the scene and stop the animal cruelty dog fighting rings perhaps , just perhaps I would be more involved with the NFL.

Look at how they praise that scumbag Ray Lewis. Typical NFL garbage and scum!
- BuffaloHardHat

seems a lil harsh but thats your opinion.

Just as well - though from what I'm hearing the usual Tor game markup isn't strongly in effect today... so glad I could find someone.
- nfph

Its unusual. Its either the blitzkrieg schedule, lackluster start, pissed off fans(a small amount of them) or all of the above.

Teams are certainly looking to catch him on the ice w/ their best line(s).

Grigorenko's three most most common F opponents, non-Carolina(two GP inflates that): Ovechkin, Backstrom, Kessel. Note they played Toronto and Washington on the road.

I want to see Ruff boost his minutes at home, perhaps w/ second or third-line play. Definitely not on L4, especially when you can (mostly) control who he's playing against, which I think is just as -- if not more -- important than linemates.
- Travis Yost

And the kid's -1 for it. Again, promising early returns.

Yeah noone said ellis over gerbe. But it's a given when van comes back and gerbe gets sat. That means ellis is in.
- LizzyJo

I still have no idea why you think its a given? I mean thats how it worked out, but I didnt know there was a rule that when Van plays Gerbe doesnt.

Its unusual. Its either the blitzkrieg schedule, lackluster start, pissed off fans(a small amount of them) or all of the above.
- Buffalo--Sabres

i think its the 3 games a week every week and people wont go to 3 games a week

Someone owes me an apology.
- LizzyJo

you were guessing!!

And the kid's -1 for it. Again, promising early returns.
- nfph

Not to mention he was -1 in the very first game.

(frank) me....
here comes Miller time again...

Credibility,he just said terry liked regehr and that's why we got him. Are you serious? It wasn't Darcy identifying that regehr was what the sabres were lacking,even though it was the regehr of 4 years ago
- Buffalo1000

Terry did like Regehr...whats your point.

Maybe if you have been around longer than 2 weeks you'll know I broke plenty of stuff...including last night.

seems a lil harsh but thats your opinion.
- hubie

It's all truth.

NFL players are the poorest role models we could wish upon any of our children.

Yet they get shoved in ours and our childrens faces at nauseam. Starting to despise the NFL really and its players.

Real men play hockey. These should be your childrens role models. Not scumbag Ray Lewis.

Now Seau's estate (errrrrr family) are trying to sue the NFL for allowing him to play a game , make millions and get rich off of it ? The nerve really!

That league and its players disgust me more and more every day.

And the kid's -1 for it. Again, promising early returns.
- nfph

Agree nfph.

(frank) me....
here comes Miller time again...
- BestRapperAlive

how is it correct to dress 5 puck moving d men when we force the guys up front to play D instead of attack?

this is the D you play in the fun and gun era when you roll 3 lines

If ruff does not allow the wingers to open it up, this is the worst mistake since putting Mair as second line center
- homiedclown

we dont, thats such a misconception.

(frank) me....
here comes Miller time again...
- BestRapperAlive

We Sabre fans can only hope

How do you trade a guy that comes around Ina generation without giving him and opportunity. Lindy ruins players
- Buffalo1000

who?

Ruff has had problems like this for a while. Afinogenov, for example, definitely had his problems, but they weren't going to be fixed by putting him on a line with Mair, Peters, or Ellis (i.e. guys that couldn't skate with him).
- buffalofan19

Exactly. in the 49 games he played with Ilya, Max had 17g and 28a. The previous 2 seasons Max played 104 games with Buffalo and had 16g and 32a. Even with Kovy being traded, Max stilled had a career high in goals that year. He was always in Lindy's dog house and Regier never got someone here that could play with Max. I think Lindy definitely hurts certain players. I think you see it when Vanek goes thru slumps. Lindy doesn't seem to help the player get back on track, but it seems he actually has a negative impact. May be what's going on with Meyers as well. I think it's time for Buffalo to go in a new direction with coaching.