The gist of it was former GM Darcy Regier and his penchant for drafting or acquiring (see Tim Connolly) soft-but-skilled hockey players, with Armia and Grigorenko being the last in a long line of players like that.
The Sabres' overall philosophy was changing at the time as the team was moving towards "tougher to play against," "gritty," "bigger, stronger, faster."
Both Armia and Grigorenko have size and plenty of natural skill, but it's their will that is being severely tested at the pro level.
After working through his personal pity-party upon learning of his demotion to junior, Grigorenko seems to have figured out what's necessary to make it in the NHL. According to Rochester Americans coach Chadd Cassidy, Grigorenko's overall play has shown solid improvement.
After last nights 5-1 Amerks win in their home finale, Cassidy said of Grigorenko, "“The thing that I am most happy with is his consistency. He's had one game where I didn't think he was as good as he needed to be but every other game he has been pretty good. He has been around the puck all the time, not a lot of shortcuts and very detailed.”
While watching the Amerks and Lake Erie Monsters play last Sunday you could see what Cassidy was talking about. Grigorenko skated well in all areas of the ice and was, in fact, around the puck in all three zones.
Where it takes him in his career is still to be determined, but both the Sabres and Grigorenko seem to be on the same page with his development.
As for Armia. He's still trying to work through the complexities of a trans-oceanic move both literally and figuratively.
In his first season in North America, Armia has seven goals and 20 assists in 54 games. Quite pedestrian, but not bad for a player adjusting to a completely different mind-set on the ice.
It's a crowded ice, much moreso than the Finnish Elite League where he came from and there's plenty of extracurricular activities that happen every game.
Like this:
Although still adjusting to the North American game, Armia has mad, dare I say Jaromir Jagr-like, puck skills:
That play didn't lead to a goal, but it lead to a powerplay as Armia caught a high stick (called slashing) from the Monsters Gabriel Beaupre. The Amerks would score with the man advantage and take a 1-0 lead.
It's just some of the bullshit that Armia, like almost any other player, needs to go through to make it to the NHL and if he wants to play in the NHL, he must pay his dues. This is an organizational mandate.
Unfortunately, word is out that Armia isn't thrilled with how his first year is going.
According to Matthew Coller who covers the Amerks for WGR, "a recent podcast featuring prominent Finnish sports reporters questioned Armia's future - even going so far as to ponder whether he would consider going back home."
The English translation brings out a number of things gleaned from his interview:
- He is homesick
- He does not want to live the “type of life” that goes along with playing on lower line.
- That they could see him returning to Finland if he does not get to play in the NHL (though a timetable is not included)
- Armia's tools are that of an offensive forward, so they are unsure if his skill set translates
Perhaps Armia can learn from Grigorenko and gut it out.
Both Armia and Grigorenko are in the hands of Special Assistant and Rochester Player Development Coach Randy Cunneyworth.
Cunneyworth came up through the ranks during Regier's tenure and was the head coach of Rochester when Regier's core was a force in the AHL. He should be credited with developing the likes of former Sabres' Thomas Vanek, Derek Roy and Jason Pominville. After a five year leave from the Sabres Regier rehired Cunneyworth as scout in November, 2013 and he was promoted to his present position in January.
Armia and Grigorenko are in the same vein as that core group. They have the same skill level as Regier's core players before them, but it's a much tougher NHL in which to showcase them.
The impetus is on them to toughen up and adapt their game while learning the ropes and it's up to Cunneyworth to guide them through a very difficult transition period.
Both are highly skilled first round picks and their development is key to the organization moving forward either as future Sabres or as trade-bait.
As the conduit between the Amerks and Sabres, it's Cunneyworth's first major developmental task in his new-found position and he has his hands full with those two.
Addendum: Armia dispelled the rumors of his discontent, "I never talked to those guys." (via Kevin Oklobzija, Rochseter Democrat and Chonicle, April 21, 2014)
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