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Regier says Grigorenko will stay in Buffalo next season

Carolina Hurricanes v Buffalo Sabres

BUFFALO, NY - JANUARY 25: Mikhail Grigorenko #25 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the Carolina Hurricanes at First Niagara Center on January 25, 2013 in Buffalo, New York.Carolina won 3-1. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

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Mikhail Grigorenko’s rookie season in Buffalo wasn’t exactly one to write home about.

While he came in with big expectations, he found himself buried on the Sabres’ lines and eventually sent back to junior hockey. Next year, things won’t be like that.

GM Darcy Regier told reporters today that Grigorenko will stay with the Sabres all season and will not be sent back to junior hockey. He is ineligible to play in the AHL as he’s 19 years-old.

Last season, Grigorenko had a goal and four assists in 25 games. That’s not impressive at all, but even less so was his average ice time of 10:14 per game. That kind of inaction is no way to properly develop a young player. Coach Ron Rolston will have to make sure to give him the proper linemates (not John Scott for instance) and ice time to help him better use his offensive abilities.