Mikhail Grigorenko had two goals in 15 games. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Veterans happy to see Sabres reassign youngsters: ‘It’s about earning the spot’

BUFFALO – In veteran defenseman Henrik Tallinder’s mind, the Sabres’ old regime handed out too many roster spots to undeserving youngsters. Interim coach Ted Nolan and his boss, Pat LaFontaine, know that. They’re working to correct those past mistakes.

“It’s not about getting the spot; it’s about earning the spot,” Tallinder said this morning inside the First Niagara Center after the Sabres reassigned four rookies, three of them teenagers. “It used to be like that in this organization, too. I don’t know what happened. So I think we’re getting back to the right track here.”

The moves:

Center Mikhail Grigorenko went to AHL Rochester on a two-week conditioning assignment. The 19-year-old will return when it’s over, Nolan said. The Russian had two goals and three points in 15 games.

– Defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen was sent to Rochester, where he went once this season in a paper move, on a regular assignment. The 19-year-old, the No. 8 pick in June, had one goal in 19 games.

– Center Johan Larsson went to Rochester, where he played 10 total games last season. The 21-year-old has one assist in 17 games.

Defenseman Nikita Zadorov went back to the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights. The 18-year-old, the No. 16 pick in June, had one goal in seven games.

“We’re trying to change our culture,” said Sabres defenseman Mike Weber, who will return from a broken thumb tonight against the St. Louis Blues. “Now it’s finally a change in culture.”

Nolan said the Sabres will recall players from Rochester, although they won’t play tonight. He wouldn’t name them.

Only Ristolainen played games under Nolan, who took over last week with LaFontaine, the president of hockey operations.

“Whether I saw them or not, I don’t think it really made much of a difference,” Nolan said. “We look at where we are with this organization and where we have to go to, and proper development is so important.”

Tallinder said the Sabres made the right moves.

“They’re good players, all of them,” he said. “I don’t think they’re ready for the NHL yet, just yet. They will be.”

Weber, who spent three full seasons in the AHL, remembers when youngsters had to “earn it.”

“You got to develop in the minors. You got to play junior,” Weber said. “You got to earn the right to be here. That’s nothing against those guys. They were given that opportunity. So it’s not their fault. From a standpoint on hockey and what we want to be as a hockey team, that’s kind of a positive, I think.”

Related: Sabres rookie Nikita Zadorov wants to stay: ‘I think I’m ready to play in the NHL’

With roster place secure, Sabres prospect Mikhail Grigorenko concentrating on next season

One thought on “Veterans happy to see Sabres reassign youngsters: ‘It’s about earning the spot’”

  1. This makes so much sense, I have to wonder why Darcy and coach-of-the-moment wouldn’t do this before. I think I blame Darcy more than Ron. Interesting to see the veterans speaking up about it. Very interesting.

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