[News] Grigorenko refuses to report to the Quebec Remparts. Update: Decides to report

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

If there was any way to get this guy I would be all over that. But IMO it's Seguin style pipe dreams. Flames have almost nothing anyone would want except young guys that it is imperative they keep.

Why would you want a selfish player who only thinks about himself? He is not a team player and I highly doubt his attitude would be welcome on any team.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

There is some speculation (on other forums) he can get out of the NHL/CHL agreement if the Remparts release him... perhaps that is his end game. If he can be released by the Remparts, then perhaps that opens up the door for an AHL assignment.

However it would set a dangerous precedent for other players that would rather go into the AHL... refuse to report until your CHL team releases you. I imagine the Remparts would feel pressure from other CHL teams not to release Grigorenko.

The conspiracy theorist in me was thinking about this as a possibility. The NHL probably wouldn't be opposed to changing the rules so that any player whose ELC has been triggered by playing more than 10 NHL games under the age of 20 could be sent to the AHL without being offered back to his CHL club.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Always a good reminder that Gio ran off to Russia when the Flames wouldn't give him a one way deal.

Gio wasn't under contract. Grigorenko is.

Also - this could potentially hurt the CHL in landing Russian players. They may be more likely to go the USHL or just stay in Russia to avoid this situation. Its entirely possible the Oilers would have sent Yakapov down to the AHL this year if they could.

The CHL doesn't care. It's been working to restrict the league against Europeans for a while now. There is a large contingent within the CHL that dislikes having any foreign players taking spots from North Americans.

[UKflames]

I would be interested in getting this kid on the flames but it would have to be the right deal. The main problem is that the sabres are in the same position we are and are after the same things we are, so i highly doubt that we have anything to offer them that we don't need ourselves.

I think the problem here is that he has already put up big points in the juniors and feels that he has nothing to learn by going back there. I don't believe that this has anything to do with what he feels he is entitled to more about where he can play that will help him develop further and at this point the juniors are not that. If he had been assigned to the AHL this may have been a totally different story. I think he is just a victim of the silly rule that the NHL and CHL(?) have in place and it could start costing the junior leagues players, of any nationality, who may not want these type of restrictions on their career.

[Resolute 14]

Grigorenko's sense of entitlement (and yes, that is what it is) isn't likely to have any real impact on the CHL's ability to attract players. It is still, by far, the best developer of NHL talent in the world. There is only a very, very small percentage of players who reach a point at 19 where they are too good for the CHL and not good enough for the NHL. Grigorenko might be one - though I personally doubt it - but the fault here lies more in how badly Buffalo has mismanaged him.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

What did buffalo do to mismanage grigorenko? I don't know the story.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Dion

Why would you want a selfish player who only thinks about himself? He is not a team player and I highly doubt his attitude would be welcome on any team.

Most kids are selfish and entitled at that age. That's easy to fix.

Truth of the matter is talent wins in this league and he a wealth of talent. You can correct attitude problems but you can't ever hope to give a lass talented player the gifts that Grigo has.

He would immediately be a top 5, if not higher, prospect for the Flames.

Like I said though, no way Buffalo deals him.

[GGG]

I think the russian factor gets way oberblown because the russians that run arent top 6 nhlrs. I think when you draft a russian you know its going to be star or bust but I dont think we have seen any top line russian talent bolt. Radulov being the closest but thats it. To me thats what makes it overblown.

[d_phaneuf]

I think they should change the rule so 1st round picks can play in the AHL before 20

[dieHARDflameZ]

Originally Posted by GGG

I think the russian factor gets way oberblown because the russians that run arent top 6 nhlrs. I think when you draft a russian you know its going to be star or bust but I dont think we have seen any top line russian talent bolt. Radulov being the closest but thats it. To me thats what makes it overblown.

I understand it's not entirely the same situation, but I'd consider Kovalchuk as top line talent, and he pretty much bolted.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Wanted him on the flames during his draft and not much has changed. Then again I gamble excessively so what do I know.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

What did buffalo do to mismanage grigorenko? I don't know the story.

They've now burned two contract years on a kid who isn't remotely close to NHL ready. Eight points in 43 NHL games over two seasons, and he's already getting a reputation for being a lazy player. It seems that based on his year and a half in junior that he thought it would be easy, and hasn't developed the habits to be a good pro yet.

[Badgers Nose]

There were a lot of the same 4th line, dressed but benched, talk about him as there was about Sven wasn't there? It's still very early to give up on him IMO.

If all the current data can lead to a low cost acquisition, why not try?

[CaptainCrunch]

If you could grab him for a second round pick, which in the Flames case is almost like a first rounder, then I might be interested, but he's been pretty terrible.

I wouldn't be interested in a youth for youth trade unless it was a lower level prospect.

He's not worth the price that they're going to want though.

[Antoski]

Pardon my ignorance but what happens to a player's contract if they are demoted to junior and suffers a career limiting/ending injury?

I assume that player would be paid at his junior stipend while playing in that league? Or am I completely out to lunch?

[cowtown75]

Something tells me that Grigo is not a Burke type of player so I think we are wasting our breath speculating on what it would take to get him.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

Most kids are selfish and entitled at that age. That's easy to fix.

Truth of the matter is talent wins in this league and he a wealth of talent. You can correct attitude problems but you can't ever hope to give a lass talented player the gifts that Grigo has.

He would immediately be a top 5, if not higher, prospect for the Flames.

Like I said though, no way Buffalo deals him.

How many first round picks have decided not to report to their junior teams? You can't have a player on your team that thinks he knows better than the coaching staff and management of the team.

[sureLoss]

John Vogl @BuffNewsVogl
The Sabres' Mikhail Grogorenko will indeed report to the Quebec Remparts.

Buffalo Sabres @BuffaloSabres
Mikhail Grigorenko has informed the #Sabres that he will be reporting to the Quebec Remparts.

[Righteous1]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

John Vogl @BuffNewsVogl
The Sabres' Mikhail Grogorenko will indeed report to the Quebec Remparts.

Buffalo Sabres @BuffaloSabres
Mikhail Grigorenko has informed the #Sabres that he will be reporting to the Quebec Remparts.

I was hoping he'd be reporting to the Calgary Flames

[trackercowe]

I wonder if the Sabres would at all be interested in one of our goalies by the end of the year if either gets hot? I doubt they have much (if any) trade value right now, but maybe that changes if we get lucky. If Miller leaves you never know why they might be looking for in a backup or 1A role.

Maybe Ramo and a second rounder for Grigorenko? Probably not going to fly, but goaltending is something they will need in all likelihood.