When the Sabres selected super centre, Mikhail Grigorenko, 12th overall in the June entry draft, they did so as a measure to secure their #1 centreman for the foreseeable future. Grigo is a five-tool hockey player: he's big, supremely skilled, strong, fleet of foot, and plays well on both sides of the puck.
Due to his age and eligibility, Grigorenko is not a candidate to play in Rochester this season, like fellow 2012 first round draftee centre, Zemgus Girgensons. Grigo had two options: make the Sabres team out of training camp, or, spend another season in The Q under the tutelage of Hall of Famer, Patrick Roy. Playing in the KHL was never an option for Grigorenko, who opted to stay in North America rather than play in his home land like his comrade and Team Russia line mate, Nail Yakupov, has chosen to do.
If Friday night is a preview of the coming attractions, its safe to say that Grigo is about to demolish scoring records this season.
On the PP, off the half-wall, Grigorenko is a serious threat. This PPG reminds me a lot of Tim Connolly in his heyday. Vision, wheels, accurate shot. Goal. Exactly what the Sabres PP needs right now. No ragging the puck, just a stop-up, curl, and a quick low shot. Boom goes the dynamite.
Grigo was the engine that drove his Quebec Remparts to an opening night 9-4 over Chicoutimi. Grigorenko scored a goal and assited on three goals by his line mate, Anthony Duclair. Grigorenko was +2, while Duclair was +3.
The high octane trio of Mikhail Grigorenko (1G,3A), Anthony Duclair (3G, 1A) and Logan Shaw (2 assists) blitzed Chicoutimi for 10 points. Quebec scored 5 PPGs in the win. 5 PPGs!
This line may well be the best scoring unit in the CHL this season. They likely will post video game style offensive output every game. Get ready. Sit back, crack a beer and enjoy the freak show!
Grigorenko scored 85 points (40G/45A) in his freshman season at Quebec in 2011-12. Now that he's bigger, stronger, more confident and healthy (he suffered from mononucleosis last Spring during the Memorial Cup), its not outlandish to expect this kid to go off for 110+ points in the highly competitive QMJHL.
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