Charles LeClaire – US PRESSWIRE
In the past few months, many eyes in Buffalo have turned to the Buffalo Sabres’ shiny new toy: Mikhail Grigorenko.
After his fall in the 2012 NHL Draft from a potential top pick, to 12th overall to the Sabres, some pointed his lack of effort and determination as the reason his stock fell so dramatically. It seems he heard those detractors and is taking his frustrations out on the rest of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Playing in his sophomore season for former NHL great Patrick Roy and the Quebec Remparts, Grigorenko has simply been unstoppable. Through his first eight games, Grigorenko has scored six goals and added 11 assists, good for second in the league, despite playing two games less than the top scorers who stand at 19 points. Grigorenko’s play has also helped lead the Remparts to a blazing start as they sit in first place in the TELUS East Division with a 7-1-0 record through eight games.
In essence, Grigorenko has shown that he is a top talent and Sabres fans should be extremely excited about that notion.
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Some quick hits on other Sabres prospects:
Joel Armia has five goals and eight points in his first 11 games with his Finnish pro team Assat. Armia has scored 18 goals in each of his first two years with Assat and is on pace to shatter that mark.
Dan Catenacci has also gotten off to a fast start in the CHL with the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack, scoring seven points in his first seven games. Catenacci has also racked up 23 penalty minutes, showcasing his grittiness.
Andrey Makarov, the 11th hour signing of the Sabres prior to the expiration of the CBA, has gotten off to a slow start with Saskatoon of the WHL, posting a 2-5 record to go with a disappointing 3.59 goals against average.
Jake McCabe, the Sabres’ second round pick in the 2012 draft, begins his season with the University of Wisconsin tomorrow against Northern Michigan.
Marcus Foligno, Zemgus Girgensons, Corey Tropp, Luke Adam, Brayden McNabb, Mark Pysyk, TJ Brennan and Cody Hodgson all begin play with the Rochester Americans of the AHL tomorrow night against the defending Calder Cup Champion (roster) Syracuse Crunch.
