Buffalo, NY (WGR 550) -- In the biggest surprise of the evening, the Buffalo Sabres seemed to be sending a message about the progress of their youngest, most exciting prospect just four games in to the season.
The former first-round draft pick Mikhail Grigorenko started the team's home game against the Carolina Hurricanes on the fourth line with Nathan Gerbe and the big-bruising John Scott. Through the first three games, Grigorenko had been skating on the third line.
The former first-round draft pick Mikhail Grigorenko started the team's home game against the Carolina Hurricanes on the fourth line with Nathan Gerbe and the big-bruising John Scott. Through the first three games, Grigorenko had been skating on the third line.
According to head coach Lindy Ruff, however, it was merely a matchup decision.
"We tried to be a little bit harder on Staal. We used Ott and Kaleta and Jochen Hecht against him," he said. "It was the only reason. I thought we had to try to slow [him down]."
The 18-year old was still taking part in some four-on-four situations and on some power play looks. As for five-on-five hockey goes, though, Grigorenko didn't get much. The rookie totaled just seven shifts and 6:48 of ice time.
"It's coach's decision," Grigorenko said after the game. "He thought it would have been better for the team so I was sitting on the bench waiting for -- you know, if he's going to call my name to go on the ice. I'm just happy to be here. If it's just two shifts a game, I'm happy."
As the game wore on, Grigorenko's shifts became less and less. In the first period, Grigorenko got five shifts. In the second, he got his final two. Then in the third, the rookie was shut out.
Might he be pressing? Used to so many minutes before getting to the NHL and only a short amount of games to make the roster, it's easy for a young player to get frustrated by that -- especially one with his offensive prowess in a game that the Sabres were searching for offense
"I'm kind of in a smaller role, I'm not going to play 25 minutes a game like in juniors," Grigorenko remarked. "Every shift I'm going to try to do what coach wants from me, and I'm trying to work as hard as I can, and that's it you know. Hopefully I will be good enough for this team."
Ruff actually did try to get Grigorenko one shift in the third period, but according to Grigorenko it was right before the team took a penalty. The head coach explained why the rookie's minutes just weren't there down the stretch.
"[Vanek] was missing for a little while we dropped to three lines. I just felt once he hadn't played for a long period of time it wasn't really fair to stick him in the fire," Ruff said. "Called him once in the third and recalled because I don't think it's fair to put him in that spot."
The Sabres have to make a decision on Grigorenko, and whether to return him to Quebec or not, sometime before the team's Tuesday game versus Toronto at First Niagara Center. That marks the sixth game of the season, and if Grigorenko remains on the roster it would use the first season on his entry-level contract.
What might Ruff be looking for from Grigorenko in that five-game stretch?
"Keep it simple," Grigorenko said of what the coach told him to focus on. "The most important, just play good defensively. Strong in battles, compete and if I have the puck, just do what I can."
Perhaps there could be a light flickering in the distance for Sunday. Clearly frustrated with the offensive production of his team outside of the top line, Ruff implied that there could be big changes with the other three.
With only one game to go before such an important decision is made on Grigorenko, perhaps the Sabres want to see him in an expanded role. Or, maybe their minds are already made up.
Buffalo travels to Washington to take on the Capitals on Sunday.
"We tried to be a little bit harder on Staal. We used Ott and Kaleta and Jochen Hecht against him," he said. "It was the only reason. I thought we had to try to slow [him down]."
The 18-year old was still taking part in some four-on-four situations and on some power play looks. As for five-on-five hockey goes, though, Grigorenko didn't get much. The rookie totaled just seven shifts and 6:48 of ice time.
"It's coach's decision," Grigorenko said after the game. "He thought it would have been better for the team so I was sitting on the bench waiting for -- you know, if he's going to call my name to go on the ice. I'm just happy to be here. If it's just two shifts a game, I'm happy."
As the game wore on, Grigorenko's shifts became less and less. In the first period, Grigorenko got five shifts. In the second, he got his final two. Then in the third, the rookie was shut out.
Might he be pressing? Used to so many minutes before getting to the NHL and only a short amount of games to make the roster, it's easy for a young player to get frustrated by that -- especially one with his offensive prowess in a game that the Sabres were searching for offense
"I'm kind of in a smaller role, I'm not going to play 25 minutes a game like in juniors," Grigorenko remarked. "Every shift I'm going to try to do what coach wants from me, and I'm trying to work as hard as I can, and that's it you know. Hopefully I will be good enough for this team."
Ruff actually did try to get Grigorenko one shift in the third period, but according to Grigorenko it was right before the team took a penalty. The head coach explained why the rookie's minutes just weren't there down the stretch.
"[Vanek] was missing for a little while we dropped to three lines. I just felt once he hadn't played for a long period of time it wasn't really fair to stick him in the fire," Ruff said. "Called him once in the third and recalled because I don't think it's fair to put him in that spot."
The Sabres have to make a decision on Grigorenko, and whether to return him to Quebec or not, sometime before the team's Tuesday game versus Toronto at First Niagara Center. That marks the sixth game of the season, and if Grigorenko remains on the roster it would use the first season on his entry-level contract.
What might Ruff be looking for from Grigorenko in that five-game stretch?
"Keep it simple," Grigorenko said of what the coach told him to focus on. "The most important, just play good defensively. Strong in battles, compete and if I have the puck, just do what I can."
Perhaps there could be a light flickering in the distance for Sunday. Clearly frustrated with the offensive production of his team outside of the top line, Ruff implied that there could be big changes with the other three.
With only one game to go before such an important decision is made on Grigorenko, perhaps the Sabres want to see him in an expanded role. Or, maybe their minds are already made up.
Buffalo travels to Washington to take on the Capitals on Sunday.
