The Sabres are playing out the string the rest of the way but they’re going to get a head start on figuring out next season now.
One way they’ll do that is by taking another look at rookie forward Mikhail Grigorenko. John Vogl of The Buffalo News hears from the Russian youngster about his return to Buffalo in what’s been an up and down season for him.
“When I first came here when the season started, I was a little nervous and stuff,” he said. “I didn’t have a lot of confidence. After I went to juniors and came back here again, I felt more comfortable. I felt like it’s my team and I belong here.”
Grigorenko played in 22 games with the Sabres before being sent back to the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL scoring one goal with four assists. He averaged just 9:45 played per game during his initial stay in Buffalo.
Should he play in all three games to close out the season, he’ll wind up ineligible for the Calder Trophy next season. That’s so Buffalo.