I dunno, I feel like if the only way to get Grigo to play well is by pairing him with a Russian, then he's just not worth the effort... I'm ready to call it a day on this Grigo project.
- Tsyolin

If he doesn't make strides this year in Roch, then I think it's over for him. And I've always been a huge supporter of his.

If he doesn't make strides this year in Roch, then I think it's over for him. And I've always been a huge supporter of his.
- LetsGoBuffalo75

It's slowly becoming more and more apparent why he fell and we were able to get him. I thought he could be good but so far he hasn't impressed, and if Nolan can't get to him then I don't know what can.

I dunno, I feel like if the only way to get Grigo to play well is by pairing him with a Russian, then he's just not worth the effort... I'm ready to call it a day on this Grigo project.
- Tsyolin

I'm not ready to call it a day on him, he just finished Jr. He just won't be a grinding type guy and if that's what we expect of him we are asking him to do something he isn't very good at. He's a skilled guy that needs to play with skilled people, if we can't get him or others that we are in deep trouble.

This coming year in Rochester is going to be the telling year IMO.
- dadeadhead

I expect Armia and Grigorenko to turn a huge corner.

Also Dan Catenacci. I think he's got a shot to be a decent NHL'er

Bring em both a board!

Brad Marchand gushes over Ted Nolan in interviews. Nolan was Marchand's coach in juniors.


If Marchand, Girgensons, Foligno, & Lemieux were all be 20g agitators for us..? Plus our up & comming size on defense? Sabres would be a tough out.
- SuperCat

Marchand is a rat . He does have some offensive talent but I do not think Nolan would like what he has turned into . He crosses the line far too often and only got away with it because of the Gorillas that fight his fights in Boston . He would not have near the success without hid bodyguards

Bring em both a board!

Brad Marchand gushes over Ted Nolan in interviews. Nolan was Marchand's coach in juniors.


If Marchand, Girgensons, Foligno, & Lemieux were all be 20g agitators for us..? Plus our up & comming size on defense? Sabres would be a tough out.
- SuperCat

Sorry, but I just can't stand Marchand. He's not a player I hate because he is on another team, but would love if he were on my team. I just think he is a POS period.

IMO, Grigo will never play tough and tenacious, that's just not his game and drafting a Russian isn't going to change that.
- BigStew

I don't nessicarilly need him to be tough per say.. but if a little two-way hustle were to rub off on Grig-0, it'd go a long way.

A young Russian kid like Barbashev, I'd think Grigorenko would have been able to relate well to him. Oh well.

I expect Armia and Grigorenko to turn a huge corner.

Also Dan Catenacci. I think he's got a shot to be a decent NHL'er
- sbroads24

I read earlier somebody say we should give up on Catenacci and just shook my head.

I expect Armia and Grigorenko to turn a huge corner.

Also Dan Catenacci. I think he's got a shot to be a decent NHL'er
- sbroads24

I dunno about Catenacci, I doubt he's gonna be at center if he makes it into the NHL so it all depends on how well he can play on the wing.

Imagine Reinhart feeding pucks to Grigo and Armia

I don't nessicarilly need him to be tough per say.. but if a little two-way hustle were to rub off on Grig-0, it'd go a long way.

A young Russian kid like Barbashev, I'd think Grigorenko would have been able to relate well to him. Oh well.
- SuperCat

Possibly, but he has been in Canada for a number of years now, its not like he's coming straight out of Mother Russia. Any good leader should be able to get his ass in gear, if that's even possible I guess.

I don't nessicarilly need him to be tough per say.. but if a little two-way hustle were to rub off on Grig-0, it'd go a long way.

A young Russian kid like Barbashev, I'd think Grigorenko would have been able to relate well to him. Oh well.
- SuperCat

You do realize he could not play in the AHL with Grigs for 2 more years.

If he doesn't make strides this year in Roch, then I think it's over for him. And I've always been a huge supporter of his.
- LetsGoBuffalo75

I wouldn't be so hasty. We're still waiting on Armia even.

Imagine Reinhart feeding pucks to Grigo and Armia
- LetsGoBuffalo75

Should Reinhart be expected to play in Buffalo this year? He could easily make the team but I dunno if I'd want him to play because we're gonna be mediocre regardless.

I wouldn't be so hasty. We're still waiting on Armia even.
- SuperCat

Armia has serious bust potential (and not the good kind) at this point, hoping I'm wrong.

Possibly, but he has been in Canada for a number of years now, its not like he's coming straight out of Mother Russia. Any good leader should be able to get his ass in gear, if that's even possible I guess.
- BigStew

Grig-0 played in CA too.

Armia has serious bust potential (and not the good kind) at this point, hoping I'm wrong.
- Tsyolin

He started to turn the corner late in the season.

Different game, unfamiliar country. It tends to take a little longer for guys like him.

Armia has serious bust potential (and not the good kind) at this point, hoping I'm wrong.
- Tsyolin

If he doesn't pan out, we may have had the only two lazy Finns ever, Lieno and him. Hoping that isn't true.

Armia has serious bust potential (and not the good kind) at this point, hoping I'm wrong.
- Tsyolin

His playoff performance suggests otherwise.

You do realize he could not play in the AHL with Grigs for 2 more years.
- Maximum Signal

With young prospects, I'm thinking much further down the road.

In 5 years, Barbashev & Grigorenko could make for a very dynamic 3rd line.

Should Reinhart be expected to play in Buffalo this year? He could easily make the team but I dunno if I'd want him to play because we're gonna be mediocre regardless.
- Tsyolin

I don't really expect him to but if he's ready, he's ready.

He started to turn the corner late in the season.

Different game, unfamiliar country. It tends to take a little longer for guys like him.
- dadeadhead

He himself said that too, he now gets how tough the NA schedule is and he will be ready

There's a reason Barbashev fell.

Lemieux went about where he should've.


DK I trust Murray's choice.
- dadeadhead

Heady NHL executives distrust Russians?

I don't really expect him to but if he's ready, he's ready.
- LetsGoBuffalo75

I'd almost prefer him not to, just so he's not interfering too much with our "tank" job.


And of course, it would be better for his development. Be better to start that entry level contract later too, get more mileage out of it.

But first & foremost, lets not screw up this "tank"!!!

His playoff performance suggests otherwise.
- CaptainRivet

Agreed