Mikhail Grigorenko seems to be unfazed by Buffalo GM Tim Murray’s assertion that the Russian sniper is not ready to play in the NHL this season. Murray’s opinion is that the 20 year old Russian needs to spend more time in AHL Rochester this season. So much so that he is only offering the soon-to-be restricted free agent a two-way contract.
“We feel he needs time in the minors, whether that’s 10 games, a half a year, whatever it is,… Murray said. “That will depend on what kind of summer he has.… , Murray said.
Murray’s take: If Grigo is all that, he will report to camp and will earn himself a roster spot with the Sabres. However, if he is not up to the task of competing for a Buffalo roster spot, then he should be sent to the AHL for more seasoning. Murray wants Grigorenko to earn his keep in Buffalo. Grigo’s success and failure are in the player’s hands, according to the GM. Grigo accepts the challenge. While many of his NHL brethren are tooling around Lake Muskoka on jet skis or playing golf right now, Grigo is hitting the weights. Just like he did last summer when he added 17 pounds of muscle to his 6’3 210 frame, Grigorenko is all about improving his overall physical fitness and conditioning this summer. Grigorenko played last season at 225 lbs. During the 2014-15 season, Grigo appeared to play a heavier game. His newfound size and strength were noticeable, especially when he was cycling the puck with line mates in the o-zone. He also improved at holding on to pucks by using his bigger, stronger body to lean on and fend off defenders.
Looks like Grigorenko is taking it personally that Murray has him pigeon-holed as an AHLer. To know Grigorenko is to know that he is intensely competitive. He also like to prove his critics wrong by using his all world skills rather than using words to prove his point.
Be it with the Sabres or with another NHL club, Grigorenko is committed to play a meaningful role in the NHL this season and beyond. Tim Murray will be selecting generational center Jack Eichel with the second overall pick in Sunrise, Florida on Friday night. Last June, Murray invested his first ever draft choice as Sabres GM is slick center Samson Reinhart. Grigorenko has suddenly moved down from the top center prospect in the organization to third best. When factor in center ice men Tyler Ennis, Zemgus Girgensons, Cody Hodgson, and Johan Larsson the Sabres are thick down the middle of the ice. Murray has some subtraction to do this week. Trade Grigorenko? Buyout Hidgson?
Speaking of thick, watch Grigo squat 400 pounds--- without a spotter. Very impressive.
400 club in June)
Posted by Mikhail Grigorenko on Monday, June 22, 2015
Be it with the Sabres or with another NHL club, Grigorenko is committed to play in the NHL this season. Earlier this month, word surfaced that Grigorenko would be considering a contract with CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League. Buffalo’s center ice depth will get all the more chaotic and crowded if Murray is able to complete a trade for Colorado Avalanche two-way pivot Ryan O’Reilly. If the Sabres do trade for ROR, the deal will likely include the Sabres sending Grigorenko and a few other valuable pieces (left handed top 4 D, 1st round pick, prospect ) back to Colorado in exchange for O’Reilly. There is no way that Murray and Bylsma will play Grigorenko five minutes per night on the fourth line. That’s all been done before when Lindy Ruff and Ron Rolston tinkered with playing Grigo in L4 with John Scott and Drew Stafford. How did that experiment work out? That’s why Grigo is adamant about wanting to play in Buffalo’s top nine forward group. He has the size, skill, and strength to play in the top nine. His skating, once considered to be his fatal flaw, has improved with his supplemental edge and power skating work. Earlier this month, word surfaced that Grigorenko would be considering a contract with CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League. The KHL is definitely an option for Grigorenko to consider, however, I don’t see him playing with CSKA at any point this season or next. Contrary to the opinion of Murray and his many critics, Grigorenko is committed to playing in the National Hockey League this season. Be it in Buffalo, or elsewhere.
Problem being, if Grigorenko accepts a two-way contract and he fails to make the Sabres roster, he will need to clear waivers in order to move to the Amerks. I’m 100% certain that the former Quebec Remparts scoring star would be plucked off waivers faster than Murray’s can say “Grigorenko….
If that scenario were to play out, Murray would lose the 12th overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft for no compensation. Bupkiss. Jack. Nada. How is this a well-reasoned business decision? In the event that Grigorenko signs the two-way qualifying offer and he fails to make an immediate, sudden impact on Dan Bylsma’s top nine forward group, then he’d he in no man’s land. But only so a moment.
Murray is a shrewd business man. There is no way that he is going to allow an asset as valuable as Grigorenko to skate out of Buffalo without getting a maximum return for that young player. Imagine if Murray were to lose Grigorenko on waivers to Arizona, Ottawa, Toronto, Florida, Colorado, Detroit, Tampa, or San Jose. Imagine if the kid blew up in his new home and it prompted Sabres fans point the finger of blame at Murray for his poor asset management strategy as it pertains to Grigorenko. Murray's public approval rating in Buffalo would no doubt take a hit if he were to lose Grigorenko to the waiver process for a big bag full of nothing.
The last time I checked, 6’3… 225 lb. centers with hands like a jewel thief don’t grow hydroponically in the trainer’s room, nor do they come for free of charge.
Murray didn’t select Grigorenko 12th overall. Darcy Regier did. In 2012-13, Grigo represented the future and immediately became a surefire building block in the Buffalo rebuilding process. Today, Eichel and Reinhart have become the focal point centers of attention in the Buffalo rebirth. Through no fault of his own, Grigo has become the odd man out.
For this reason, I fully expect Murray to trade Grigorenko at this Friday’s NHL Draft.