Mikhail Grigorenko Scores Highlight Goal Impressing in Camp

For the Buffalo Sabres the headache of the last two seasons with Mikhail Grigorenko was going to resolved this season one way or another. They finally have the option to send him to the AHL to join the Rochester Americans now that his CHL days are out of the way should he not crack the opening night roster. However, Mikhail Grigorenko is looking pretty good in training camp for the Sabres.

In a preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs last night, Grigorenko skated on the top line alongside Cody Hodgson and Christ Stewart and boy did that line look good all night. They generated many offencive chances and Grigorenko looked very good between two skilled players.

Funny what happens when you surround a skilled young player with other skilled players eh? Grigorenko scored a beautiful goal off a saucer pass from Hodgson to open up the scoring where he had to bat the puck down in mid air to his stick to beat Jonathan Bernier. That goal alone was enough to impress, but Grigorenko showed even more skill with this impressive shootout goal in the shootout against Bernier.

*Credit to Jeffler for the great gif.

For real though, how nice is this nifty shootout move from Grigorenko? The kid has a sweet set of hands and needs to be with Chris Stewart for the rest of eternity. Before the goal, the Leafs play by play guys were talking about how tough this was for Bernier since he’s never face Grigorenko, after the goal they said he’ll surely remember him after that snazzy move.

While many believe Grigorenko is due to split the season between the Amerks and the Sabres, he’s been working hard and looking good in training camp and might force the Sabres to keep him around a little longer.

Grigorenko’s development seems to point at the fact that every prospect needs time to develop and that it’s a unique process for each player. The Sabres were caught in a hard place with him and tried to rush him which didn’t work, but surround him with actual talent and he looks pretty good.