Buffalo (WKBW.com) The kid is going to get a shot. 18-year old forward Mikhail Grigorenko made the cut when the Sabres trimmed their roster down to 23 players on Friday.
"I think we should keep him around a little while longer", said Sabres GM Darcy Regier. "It will be up to the coach to decide whether he plays or not", said Regier with a smile.
The Sabres will now have five games to decide if Grigorenko will stay in the NHL or gets sent back to his junior team in Quebec. Head Coach Lindy Ruff has been happy with how the youngster has looked in training camp. "He defends well for a young player", said Ruff on Friday. "You would have liked an opportunity to see him in a preseason game against other NHL players, still he does have real good awareness and understands the game. His strength is his play making ability. Quick hands", said Ruff.
Grigorenko has been playing center on the third line between Ville Leino and Steve Ott. The Sabres wrap up training camp practices on Saturday morning before hosting Philadelphia in the season opener on Sunday at the First Niagara Center.
