Hey guys. Just a couple of quick question for folks following the Sabres closely: if they wanted to give Sam a 9-game try-out, couldn't management have sent anyone other than Grigo down (was this just a contract/roster issue)?

Seems like an odd decision to split some developing pre-season chemistry with the risk of continued mismanagement of Grigo's development, e.g. kid does everything to show how he wants to be an NHL player, he shows it on the ice then he gets sent down despite the praise for taking a step forward.

Is this something that's coming from above Nolan and it's a case of a coach towing the party line?

Thanks!

61 and 41 should never see a Sabres jersey again, they can take 17 and 6 with them as well.
- SABRES 89

the 61/41 pairing has to be part of the tank.. i don't understand how you put those together and expect good things

See, I can't just dismiss this. Why is it that they have problems with afternoon games, but every opponent seems to do just fine?
- buffalofan19

i used to think it was because of just miller's game prep being messed up.. but goaltending wasn't the only issue yesterday

Hey guys. Just a couple of quick question for folks following the Sabres closely: if they wanted to give Sam a 9-game try-out, couldn't management have sent anyone other than Grigo down (was this just a contract/roster issue)?

Seems like an odd decision to split some developing pre-season chemistry with the risk of continued mismanagement of Grigo's development, e.g. kid does everything to show how he wants to be an NHL player, he shows it on the ice then he gets sent down despite the praise for taking a step forward.

Is this something that's coming from above Nolan and it's a case of a coach towing the party line?

Thanks!
- Aflacducky

Those who follow the Sabres closely are asking many of the same questions.

Furthermore, he was a "scoring" D-man on a team that the analytics folks have pegged as the equivalent to the Toronto Maple Leafs of last year. That doesn't tell you everything, but it absolutely should make you wary.
- buffalofan19

I know, I disclaimerized myself in that post. He was a top 60 d-man in points last year. He should be on the PP honestly (Myers, Meszaros and Benoit should be the automatics IMO). PK is a different story.

Where is DR. Phil, he seems to have all the answers
- SABRES 89

He should be president , GM and head coach for both Pegula Buffallo teams . He knows more than anyone in sports !

Hey guys. Just a couple of quick question for folks following the Sabres closely: if they wanted to give Sam a 9-game try-out, couldn't management have sent anyone other than Grigo down (was this just a contract/roster issue)?

Seems like an odd decision to split some developing pre-season chemistry with the risk of continued mismanagement of Grigo's development, e.g. kid does everything to show how he wants to be an NHL player, he shows it on the ice then he gets sent down despite the praise for taking a step forward.

Is this something that's coming from above Nolan and it's a case of a coach towing the party line?

Thanks!
- Aflacducky

i ham not shure if nolans is towing the line..

They had several options to send down besides Grigs.. i think they wanted him to go down and play top line minutes till there was room for a call up.. most likely after 9 games the way things are going

That's the thing, they won't "need" another top 4 defenseman for a couple of years. This team is bad right now. Whether you want to call it a "tank" or not, this team is one of the worst, if not the worst, team in the league. And that's not going to change for a couple of years, no matter how many cliches and other forms of rhetoric Coach Theo or anyone else in the front office throws around.
- buffalofan19

i sadly agree with every point. Also don't think that they're trying to tank either. Are they bad? yes but it's only been 3 games against fairly strong teams i cant see them continuing to be this bad though

Ted Nolan is not a good coach.

Hey guys. Just a couple of quick question for folks following the Sabres closely: if they wanted to give Sam a 9-game try-out, couldn't management have sent anyone other than Grigo down (was this just a contract/roster issue)?

Seems like an odd decision to split some developing pre-season chemistry with the risk of continued mismanagement of Grigo's development, e.g. kid does everything to show how he wants to be an NHL player, he shows it on the ice then he gets sent down despite the praise for taking a step forward.

Is this something that's coming from above Nolan and it's a case of a coach towing the party line?

Thanks!
- Aflacducky

I think Grigorenko not having to clear waivers is the exact reason he was sent down.

I think Grigorenko not having to clear waivers is the exact reason he was sent down.
- stashu

were we worried about Mitchell not clearing waivers?

i used to think it was because of just miller's game prep being messed up.. but goaltending wasn't the only issue yesterday
- IndianaSabresFan

"This team defense tightens up when it's not Miller in net"

were we worried about Mitchell not clearing waivers?
- IndianaSabresFan

Mitchell should be a 4th liner, so that spot shouldn't be where Grigorenko plays anyways.

*shrug*

Mitchell should be a 4th liner, so that spot shouldn't be where Grigorenko plays anyways.

*shrug*
- stashu

yeah but he was playing with 2nd liners most of the time*.. right where grigs should be..


*2nd liners according to the Sabres roster

Ted Nolan is not a good coach.
- ImThatGuy

Sabres is not a good team.

I, for one, hope this label sticks.
- Der Kaiser

Me to. All I can think of is watching Rock and Bullwinkle as a kid . And Rocky's famous introduction

" And now Mr Know it all " To which Bullwinkle would Reply " Thank You "

Ted Nolan is not a good coach.
- ImThatGuy

Know-it-all!

...

yeah but he was playing with 2nd liners most of the time*.. right where grigs should be..


*2nd liners according to the Sabres roster
- IndianaSabresFan

No accounting for bad coaching.

No accounting for bad coaching.
- stashu

It wouldn't be a problem if everyone just tried harder.

Know-it-all!
- buffalofan19

Damn right I am.

yeah but he was playing with 2nd liners most of the time*.. right where grigs should be..


*2nd liners according to the Sabres roster
- IndianaSabresFan

I'm not sure why you're saying that. I saw Mitchell with a bunch of different players yesterday, but not in the 1st two games. The lines were all jumbled up all game yesterday though. And I'm assuming some of that had to do with Foligno not playing. Though if I were Nolan, I would have just plugged Flynn into that spot and left the rest alone.

So much anger . As Mr Rogers said a few weeks ago to Green Bay fans R-E-L-A-X.

Lots of changes in the off season . Two Really bad defense men . I would like to see another coach hired that could specialize on faceoffs.

Me to. All I can think of is watching Rock and Bullwinkle as a kid . And Rocky's famous introduction

" And now Mr Know it all " To which Bullwinkle would Reply " Thank You "



- Maximum Signal

"Now watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat!"

*Rhinocerous head pops out and roars*

"Guess I don't know my own strength!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRW7pITY5Cg

I'm not sure why you're saying that. I saw Mitchell with a bunch of different players yesterday, but not in the 1st two games. The lines were all jumbled up all game yesterday though. And I'm assuming some of that had to do with Foligno not playing. Though if I were Nolan, I would have just plugged Flynn into that spot and left the rest alone.
- HonkFortheGoose

Mitchell so far this season:



I'm guessing all that time with Reinhart and Gionta was yesterday.

I agree with you though, but I'm also a Flynn fan so I'm fine with him being a spot-starter that moves up in lines.