Yeah I think having him see some time down there is the right thing even though I really want to see him play up here. I'm sure we will see him a few times in Buffalo this season anyhow. However I wonder now if the sabres will go after thomas or graves hard now.
wow, i wonder what lines will look like now? roy in rochester, conolly suspended first 2 games, hecht injured, any guesses?
Sorry for being repetitive (posted in part in another thread), but here is what I think the lines will be to start the season...
Miroslav Satan Chris Drury Ales Kotalik
J.P Dumont Daniel Briere Taylor Pyatt
Curtis Brown Chris Taylor Maxim Afinogenov
Andrew Peters Adam Mair Jason Botterill
LW Eric Boulton (injured)
C Tim Connolly (injured/suspended)
LW Jochen Hecht (injured)
After Lindy's comments about wanting more experience and Taylor's 4 point night last night, I do not think it is extremely surprising Taylor got the nod over Roy. Another aspect is that Buffalo has a horrific road trip to start the season against some major opponents. Maybe not the best way to start Roy NHL career (or R. Miller's role as starter for that matter).
The question is, what are they going to do with the goalie Situation? Remember we did sign Greg Gardner so we do have another goalie in the AHL. I think the Sabres are going to shop one of their Goalies.
Interesting that they send Kriukov to Rochester and not back home. Could this mean Yaroslavl's going to let him out and he'll be an Amerk this year?
That's not necessarily the case because he's basically in Amerks camp/preseason, so it's no different than the fact that he was also in Sabres camp in regards to his staying over here. Unless there is any rule saying he'd have to have been back to his Russian team by now to be eligible there.
I actually thought that Roy would make the team.The fact that Artem Kriukov was in camp and stayed this long has gave me a little glimmer of hope he can pull it all together and become a quality NHL player.He's only 21 or 22 and still has a year or two before he should be considered a flat out bust.He must have some skills to be taken 15th overall.
Although I hate to see Roy go down, I know we'll get a glimpse of him at least once during the year, so it's ok. And I think keeping Taylor up here is a good idea. He's pretty reliable.
I don't have a problem with the moves yet. Theres nothing wrong with riding the bus for a while, it should make him want it more. At this point I think that Gaustad was performing better in the actual exhibition games. I hadn't heard much from Roy since the intersquad scrimmages.
Kriukov will have to be released from his contract with Yaroslavl and then signed by the Sabres before he can play in Rochester.
And there is the question of signing date and release fees. The kid's looked good so far in camp, well beyond anything I think just about anyone could've anticipated considering his history. But has he looked so good that the Sabres are willing to foot the fill for the transfer fees at this late date? Particularly to crowd the Amerks roster further? I could see them interested in further grooming, but if he's heading back to Russia, then getting him some playing time is vital. Perhaps foster a deal that gets him back into the Novosibirsk lineup rather than seeing him trapped behind a veteran laden lineup with no chance at meaningful ice time.
It must be true if we both have it that way.
