Pat LaFontaine and Ted Nolan's new culture clashes with Mikhail Grigorenko and his sense of entitlement

Buffalo Sabres' 19 yr. old forward Mikhail Grigorenko was sent to junior yesterday and he was none too happy about it. Or, maybe it's better said that his agent Jay Grossman wasn't too happy about it. It would seem as if he advised Grigorenko not to go to the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

A look on various blogs has the pro-Grigorenko faction blaming everyone from former GM Darcy Regier to interim head coach Ted Nolan, to the CHL, to guys like Matt Ellis and John Scott for his demotion to junior.

But this isn't about the fact that he was sent down nor is it about Grigorenko's facebook post (which was eventually deleted, but can be found at the bottom.)

It's about how, or if, he fits in with the future of the Buffalo Sabres as being constructed now.


The Darcy Regier-era was built with talented, soft-but-skilled players who generally skated with a sense of entitlement instead of a sense of purpose. The era was marked by a team that was putting on a dog and pony show at home--losing the game more often than not--and folding when the pressure was on.

In looking at the Grigorenko saga, he was drafted 12th overall in 2012 with Regier as the GM. He stuck with the team in the lockout-shortened 2013 season with Regier in charge. And he was handed an unearned spot on the roster by the former GM over the summer.

Grigorenko was a Regier kind of player--a ton of skill, but an inconsistent compete level.

Beginning with last season, Grigorenko was given many opportunities to show three coaches and two GM's that he had the compete-level to make an impact in the NHL. But, the problems he had with the Sabres at the NHL-level under the new LaFontaine/Nolan regime were the same problems the kid had before.

From his Quebec Remparts head coach, NHL Hall-of-Famer Patrick Roy who's now head coach of the Colorado Avalanche on Grigorenko:

"The area we were trying to work hard with Grigo was the compete level,” Roy said. “In my opinion, he was losing too many battles. At times, Grigo thought he was working hard. But when you’re watching the clips he was not. Obviously, we were trying to break that down. But that’s all I can say.”--From Bill Hoppe, buffalohockeybeat, Oct. 19, 2013

Hoppe wrote about Grigorenko ten days before saying, "His slick skill set is apparent just by watching him practice a few minutes. But so far, that hasn’t translated into game action," and he backed it up with this quote from former head coach Ron Rolston:

“You have to find a way to be an impact in a game,” Rolston said. “It’s his ability to put himself in positions where he can use those skills. So that means you got to go to the puck. You got to get the puck. You got to support the puck. You got to be around the puck. You got to battle for the puck. You can stickhandle in a phone booth. That doesn’t really translate unless you can be an impact in a game."--Bill Hoppe, buffalohockeybeat

In his latest piece on the Grigorenko saga, Hoppe said "The move was hardly surprising. Nolan hinted at it earlier this week when the world junior championship, where the Sabres sent the Russian for a month, ended."

Grigorenko met with Sabres President of Hockey Ops, Pat LaFontaine and according to Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News, "the 19 yr. old was upset with the decision" after meeting with LaFontaine for nearly a half-hour.

Said Nolan after his own meeting with LaFontaine and new GM Tim Murray, “[Grigorenko] was a little bit upset I imagine but this is non-negotiable. It’s one of those things that has to be done. There’s only a certain amount you can direct and put people in position. It comes down to whether they want it or not. If he wants it, he wants to be here, he’ll work at it.”

From the looks of it, the new regime didn't feel as if Grigorenko truly wanted to do what was necessary to stick with the Sabres.

Grigorenko can talk all he wants, he can make his facebook posts, and he can even have his agent convince him that he's an NHL player. But the new regime wants action. They want effort. And the kid just didn't show it.

Just like Roy had stated back in October, Grigorenko may have thought he was working hard, but anyone watching didn't see it.

And like Rolston said, Grigorenko needs to be around the puck, needs to work to be around the puck, and the kid just wasn't getting it done.

Nolan is in charge of a culture change at the foot of Washington St. which involves a complete 180 from a culture of entitlement to a blue collar culture of a strong work ethic.

Grigorenko may not even have it in him. If that's the case and he doesn't have that work ethic or can't find an inner drive or desire, it wouldn't be surprising for the Sabres to show him the door.

Right now the Sabres organization is building a foundation that is anit-Regier. They're intent upon keeping players who will work hard, no matter what skill level. And Nolan was in charge of evaluating the present roster.

This year is in the dumps and next year the team will be a similar scenario. They will continue plug away with a mix of wily vets and a few select youngins and each player will be judged by their play.

The charge of the youngins will commence probably after the 2014-15 season when they'll have the additions of at least three more first round picks including at least one in the top-two. They are intent upon having their young players develop properly and only players they deem ready for NHL duty will be allowed to stick with the team.

This year they've allowed two rookies to stick around--Zemgus Girgensons and Mark Pysyk. Both are mature enough to handle the losing yet comfortable enough in their skin not to let anything get in the way of their game or their continued development.

As for Grigorenko he isn't close to their maturity level as witnessed by his not reporting to junior. One can blame whomever one wants to including the CHL/NHL agreement regarding 19 yr. olds.

But simple fact is that Grigorenko is a work in progress. He always was.

The best thing for him to do is go to Quebec and try to lead his team to a Memorial Cup. After their season is over he may have the opportunity to join Rochester if they are still playing.

That would be a sign of maturity.

And that will open up the door a bit for a possible return to the Sabres lineup in 2014-15, which happens to be the last year of his entry-level contract.

Anything less than that approach by him is a waste of time for all parties involved.



***Grigorenko's facebook post***


Hi everyone,

I just want to apologized (sic) for the situation going on right now.

We just need to find a place for me where i can develop and be the best hockey player I can be.

I came to North America 3 years ago coming from a home in Russia where I never had a bed, a shower or heat...I work everyday to be the best hockey player I can be so I can provide for my family, have a better life... Because hockey is all I have, my passion, who I am.

I am so grateful I played in Québec with one of the best coach (sic) in the world, amazing fans, people and city. I got to play against great players who are now doing amazing in the NHL. I'm also so proud I was drafted in the NHL by the Buffalo Sabres organization. I love the city and people there. I love my neighborhood and I love the guys. They also have owners who want everyone to be happy and love their team so much.

Now I would just ask all of you guys to respect me and the time I'm taking to think about my career. It might be hard to understand but it is even harder for a teenager.
Grigo