Weeks ago, when oft-injured forward
Ville Leino left the starting lineup, many observers speculated as to the extent of his injury. Leino and the team were quick to say that the injury was not related to the winger's recurring hip ailment. I spoke to Leino after the March 31 loss to to Boston Bruins and he told me that his ribs and hip were not the issue. At that time, he was hopeful to play again this season.
Today after practice, Sabres interim coach, Ron Rolston, shed light on newest Leino's injury. According to Sabres.com, Rolston says that Leino has been suffering from a lung issue. According to Rolston, Leino's lung injury was "serious". The injury did not require surgery.
Leino's upper body situation has sidelined him since March 31st. He will miss his 12th consecutive game on Friday night.
The Finn has played in just 7 of 47 games for the Sabres this season. He scored two goals and added four assists.
He made his long-awaited season debut on March 16 against Ottawa. He skated well on his 15:55 TOI and added an assist. He suffered the lung injury on March 30 when Washington played in Buffalo. Leino played his best game if his brief season that night, scoring two goals (1 PPG) in 17:32 TOI, he was 66.7% on draws. It was Leino's first goal since April 5, 2012, and his first two-goal game since March. 3, 2012 at Vancouver.
Leino played 71 games last season, and he struggled mightily. He scored only 8 goals and added 17 assists.
The Sabres expected a ton more production and leadership from Leino when they signed him to a ginormous six year contract that pays the winger $4.5 million per season. $27 million is a ton of money to invest in a guy who spends more time in bandages than King Tut.
Leino is a candidate for the amnesty buyout this Summer.
The NHL salary cap will reduce from $70.3 million to $64.3 million in 2013-14.
The team currently has 16 players committed to $48.7 million in contracts that count against their cap. Darcy Regier will have to tender contract offers to RFAs-to-be: Cocy Hodgson, Jhonas Enroth, Mike Weber, and Brian Flynn. Adam Pardy and Alex Sulzer will become UFAs in July and Regier will have to make a decision on both D men. Jochen Hecht will also become UFA, however, I'm expecting the Sabres to say goodbye to the 35 year old.
What becomes of Leino once the season ends?
If Leino is bought out, the Sabres would be relieved of his salary cap hit and he would become a free agent.
A buyout would help the Sabres in the short term, however, it would come with long term implications.
The amnesty buyout formula means that the Sabres would have to pay 2/3 of the remaining contract money owed to Leino. These dollars would then be divided by twice the term.
Translation: Leino would get $18 million divided by 8 years ($2.25 million per year until 2021)
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Rolston said he isn't sure if rookie Mikhail Grigorenko will be reporting to the Rochester Amerks after the Sabres-Islanders game on Friday night
Very peculiar answer, for an interim coach to make, don't you think?
Three current Sabres are eligible to ship off to Rochester to join the Amerks for their playoffs:
Grigorenko
Flynn
Pysyk
The Amerks open up their first round series against the Marlies in Toronto on Saturday afternoon.
I find it hard to believe that Rolston doesn't know if Grigo will be heading to the Amerks in the next 48 hours.
If I was an interim coach looking to have the "interim" tag removed from my job title, I would react more enthusiastically when asked about the organization's top prospect.
Rolston throws a weird vibe when he's in a position to comment on Grigorenko.
Why?
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