I'm going to start a controversy here, but I don't see the Grigorenko situation as a disaster. They were caught between a rock and a hard place. No, he wasn't ready, but the two years he eventually did spend in Juniors did absolutely nothing for him either. It was only when he was eligible to play in Rochester did he start to look like he improved. If what the Sabres did with him ends up "ruining" Grigorenko's career, he never had what it took to make it in this league to begin with.
- buffalofan19

I don't see it as a disaster for his development, but you can't deny that being strung along like that will definitely put a dent in your confidence and leave you frustrated and un focused.

I agree with you, if he really is that good then moving between juniors and the NHL that often shouldn't affect his talent level. However, It seriously delays development and puts him behind the 8 ball right away.

If he had started in juniors full time and hadn't played a single NHL game yet, I have no doubt that he'd still be in every fans good graces and the confidence he would earn from finally making it would certainly help.

But after all that he's been, starting in the nhl then dropped, then brought back up probably leaves him wondering what he has to do, especially since (and i know this is hot topic too) he played most of those minutes with guys who have minimal NHL skill.

Ya, I don't see TM being that way...if he didn't already know it, the Grigo experiment by Darcy showed the disastrous impact that can have on a player....good learning, or at least a reinforcement experience for the team (not Grigo though). I'm pulling for him to play aces in Rochester with Armia for a good portion of the year...he apparently haas made the commitment and I would love to see it payoff in a big way for him. If that happens...good lord are the Sabres stacked at center...especially if the get McEichel
- IonSabres

I agree, but the all that went wrong in the last regime has put the fear of god in me, i can't help but assume that management will do something stupid even though it's been changed

I don't see it as a disaster for his development, but you can't deny that being strung along like that will definitely put a dent in your confidence and leave you frustrated and un focused.

I agree with you, if he really is that good then moving between juniors and the NHL that often shouldn't affect his talent level. However, It seriously delays development and puts him behind the 8 ball right away.

If he had started in juniors full time and hadn't played a single NHL game yet, I have no doubt that he'd still be in every fans good graces and the confidence he would earn from finally making it would certainly help.

But after all that he's been, starting in the nhl then dropped, then brought back up probably leaves him wondering what he has to do, especially since (and i know this is hot topic too) he played most of those minutes with guys who have minimal NHL skill.
- Sabresfan-365

So don't misinterpret what I meant. The PROCESS that Darcy and Patty/Nolan used was a complete disaster..up, not playing, playing 4th line, sitting, assigned to Roch, oh that is against the rules, ok back to Juniors, nope not going to report, ok I'll report, what no room, etc.
Thankfully, he listened to whomever and dedicated himself this off season...so in a long, crazy way, maybe it was advantageous ... The message got through. But along the way it completely distorted his confidence...going back to Jr. Allowed him to get it back.
Like I said, I hope his dedication paysoff in a big way for him(and the Sabres/Amerks).

Hey, anybody that saw the game, how did Achuller look lat night? He was to play 4th line minutes, just wondering if he looked ok, or out of place?

Hey, anybody that saw the game, how did Achuller look lat night? He was to play 4th line minutes, just wondering if he looked ok, or out of place?
- IonSabres

Assuming you meant Schaller. He looked ok. Nothing really stood out.

I thought Moulson and Stafford had rough nights

Assuming you meant Schaller. He looked ok. Nothing really stood out.

I thought Moulson and Stafford had rough nights
- sbroads24

Yes, lol...you interpreted my jumbo well! Thanks for the update.

So don't misinterpret what I meant. The PROCESS that Darcy and Patty/Nolan used was a complete disaster..up, not playing, playing 4th line, sitting, assigned to Roch, oh that is against the rules, ok back to Juniors, nope not going to report, ok I'll report, what no room, etc.
Thankfully, he listened to whomever and dedicated himself this off season...so in a long, crazy way, maybe it was advantageous ... The message got through. But along the way it completely distorted his confidence...going back to Jr. Allowed him to get it back.
Like I said, I hope his dedication paysoff in a big way for him(and the Sabres/Amerks).
- IonSabres

He seems to be back on the right track, but may have been a bit stunted the last couple years, and it caused conflict between him and the organization.

Ultimately, who cares what the fans think - if he's here and productive in a top-6 role in a couple years we'll be buying his jersey.

Yes, lol...you interpreted my jumbo well! Thanks for the update.
- IonSabres

Damn phones

So don't misinterpret what I meant. The PROCESS that Darcy and Patty/Nolan used was a complete disaster..up, not playing, playing 4th line, sitting, assigned to Roch, oh that is against the rules, ok back to Juniors, nope not going to report, ok I'll report, what no room, etc.
Thankfully, he listened to whomever and dedicated himself this off season...so in a long, crazy way, maybe it was advantageous ... The message got through. But along the way it completely distorted his confidence...going back to Jr. Allowed him to get it back.
Like I said, I hope his dedication paysoff in a big way for him(and the Sabres/Amerks).
- IonSabres

My response wasn't towards you?

Assuming you meant Schaller. He looked ok. Nothing really stood out.

I thought Moulson and Stafford had rough nights
- sbroads24

Could be a solid 4th line guy for us, read good things about him from kris baker last year.

Could be a solid 4th line guy for us, read good things about him from kris baker last year.
- Sabresfan-365

Ya, that's why I was anxious to hear how he fared last night...hopefully he gets to play again for another shot to impress.

My response wasn't towards you?
- Sabresfan-365

Sorry if I offended...wasn't the intent either...just was trying to add clairity to my earlier statement and provide context.

Wow I'm surprised the sabres didn't claim Jacob Markstrom off waivers. He's a goalie that fits Murray's build, he really must be playing bad. At one point he had such high potential in Florida to be a great goalie.

Wow I'm surprised the sabres didn't claim Jacob Markstrom off waivers. He's a goalie that fits Murray's build, he really must be playing bad. At one point he had such high potential in Florida to be a great goalie.
- Carubba-Kaleta

If you claim a guy he is out on the nhl roster. That would mean 3 goalies and all of them would have to clear and when Hackett is healthy that would make 4. A very crowded crease

If you claim a guy he is out on the nhl roster. That would mean 3 goalies and all of them would have to clear and when Hackett is healthy that would make 4. A very crowded crease
- Stripes77

Unless we can trade a goalie, but I don't know who is looking for a goalie. Even still, which ever team that is would likely rather sign Markstrom than make a trade.


EDIT: rereading this made my head hurt. Sorry.

Unless we can trade a goalie, but I don't know who is looking for a goalie. Even still, which ever team that is would likely rather sign Markstrom than make a trade.
- thatsapickle

Maybe Pittsburgh ?

Maybe Pittsburgh ?
- Maximum Signal

I thought they brought in Griess as a back up?

I thought they brought in Griess as a back up?
- thatsapickle

Forgot !

I can say with total confidence that after 3 preseason games, Bennett's career will be > Reinhart's. Way to draft a bust as your "cornerstone". Don't (frank) up your other 2 top 5 picks next summer like you did this one.
- rangerdanger94

Well thank you Mr Kreskin !

Well thank you Mr Kreskin !
- Maximum Signal

I dunno it's not all bad, he is saying it with the utmost confidence...and he's got us drafting twice in the top 5 this summer.

I'd actually take that scenario

I dunno it's not all bad, he is saying it with the utmost confidence...and he's got us drafting twice in the top 5 this summer.

I'd actually take that scenario
- Sabresfan-365

Nope . He is saying Reinhart is a flop .

I dunno it's not all bad, he is saying it with the utmost confidence...and he's got us drafting twice in the top 5 this summer.

I'd actually take that scenario
- Sabresfan-365

If we have two top 5 picks, I'll take that too. Reinhart will be a fine 2C. Bennett can be a great 1Wing. That's fine.

Nope . He is saying Reinhart is a flop .
- Maximum Signal

I was joking in the first bit.... I'm well aware he said Reinhart is a flop "Way to draft a bust as your "cornerstone" " was a pretty easy giveaway.

If we have two top 5 picks, I'll take that too. Reinhart will be a fine 2C. Bennett can be a great 1Wing. That's fine.
- thatsapickle

Bennett was always pegged as the boom or bust pick, so there is 50% chance that he could very well be a top line player.

But a guy with Reinhart's playmaking and smarts will make for a good top 6 forward and i would definitely take that especially if you assured me two top 5 picks next year.

I can say with total confidence that after 3 preseason games, Bennett's career will be > Reinhart's. Way to draft a bust as your "cornerstone". Don't (frank) up your other 2 top 5 picks next summer like you did this one.
- rangerdanger94

Congrats on almost competing with the Kings. You could tell they were annoyed you didn't stop trying after game 3