Grigo To Begin NHL Season In Rochester

Despite an impressively strong training camp, 20-year old Buffalo Sabres center Mikhail Grigorenko won’t be beginning the 2014-15 season with the club.

As first reported by Jay Grossman, his agent, Grigorenko will start the season with the Rochester Americans in the AHL.  Because he’s now 20-years old this will be the first year Grigorenko can being a season in the AHL. He played with the Quebec Remparts in juniors last year following his 18-game stint with the Sabres before his campaign with Rochester.

The 12^th overall pick of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft has three goals and eight points in parts of two seasons in the NHL.

The Sabres have also apparently waived forward Zac Dalpe and sent defensemen Jake McCabe to Rochester.

NHL teams have until 5 p.m. on Tuesday to submit their 23-man rosters.  Buffalo had 23 healthy skaters at practice this morning, which could serve as strong indication of the roster that begins the season with their home opener against Columbus on Thursday.

The biggest question entering camp would be if Reinhart would start the season with the team or be returned to juniors.  Head coach Ted Nolan confirmed this afternoon Reinhart will start the season in Buffalo. He can play up to nine games with the Sabres before the team must determine if he remains with the club or plays with the juniors.  Once Reinhart suits up for a 10^th game the Sabres lose a year off his entry contract.

According to several reports the forward combinations at practice today consisted of Tyler Ennis skating between Matt Moulson and Drew Stafford and Reinhart with Cody Hodgson and Brian Gionta. Zegmus Girgensons worked with Chris Stewart and Marcus Foligno while Cody McCormick centered Paul Mitchell and Deslauriers on the fourth line.

The eight Sabres defensemen on the ice were Tyler Myers, Josh Gorges, Mike Weber, Andrej Meszaros, Andre Benoit, Rasmus Ristolainen, Nikita Zadarov and Tyson Strachan.

Johan Larsson and Patrick Kaleta are out with injuries.

One thing the Sabres still haven’t done is name a team captain.  Nolan indicated that will happen and be announced sometime in the next 24 hours.