Mikhail Grigorenko was highly touted coming out of junior hockey, however, he's yet to translate his QMJHL success to the NHL level.
In this edition of the hotstove we look at whether he can do that in Colorado under his former junior coach Patrick Roy.
Todd Cordell I'm not sure Grigorenko will ever be the star he was projected to be but I think he'll be able to turn it around in Colorado.
There he be given a legitimate opportunity to not only play every day but play some meaningful minutes. It seemed he wasn't exactly a favorite of Ted Nolan and every time he made a mistake he'd be benched or taken out of the lineup. I doubt that will be the case under Roy, who is familiar with Grigorenko and what he is and isn't capable of.
Grigorenko produced in the QMJHL, he produced in the AHL and there's no shortage in talent so he should be able to produce (at least to some extent) at the NHL level as well.
Tim Chiasson While he played pretty poorly through his time in Buffalo, and the damage from his mishandling may already be done, I think he's going to rebound in Colorado and earn more time in the NHL.
It's pretty clear he wants to play in the NHL, otherwise he would have defected to Russia already. Patrick Roy knows Grigorenko and he knows how to get results out of him. If Grigorenko really wants to be an NHL player then this one year contract with Patrick Roy is the only thing that's going to save him.
He's going to get a chance to prove himself in Colorado with less use of his frequent flyer airline card and I think that comfort, combined with a feeling that the team actually wants him, will allow him to just play hockey and not worry about the outside stuff.
James Tanner A big centre who's only 21 and who nearly averaged a PPG in the AHL last year? I think he'll be fine. How good, who knows, but I he's clearly talented.
I like him to pick it up in Colorado and have a better second season in the NHL.
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