24 replies to this topic

[Buffalo Fan]

I haven't seen a lick of this guy (or hockey in general for that matter), but his stat line in Rochester makes it look like he is really struggling.  I hope this is an "adjustment" period.  If there is a silver lining to the lockout it would be more time for he and others to develop but his apparent struggles worry me.  I would enjoy a discussion.

[Glass Case Of Emotion]

He turns 19 tomorrow.

[Buffalo Fan]

LastPommerFan, on 04 January 2013 - 09:38 AM, said:

He turns 19 tomorrow.

good point.  I hope it's just that.  Given the lack of real hockey talk, I hoped to stir some debate.

[Lanny]

Are there transfer rules from NCAA to AHL similar to the rules from Juniors?

[Buffalo Fan]

Lanny, on 04 January 2013 - 09:57 AM, said:

Are there transfer rules from NCAA to AHL similar to the rules from Juniors?

I think he gave up his NCAA eligibility once he signed a professional contract.  I was thinking similarly though, that maybe there is a league he can be sent to to regain some confidence (if that is what's lacking).

[MattPie]

Thread Killer, on 04 January 2013 - 10:04 AM, said:

I think he gave up his NCAA eligibility once he signed a professional contract.  I was thinking similarly though, that maybe there is a league he can be sent to to regain some confidence (if that is what's lacking).

I believe that's correct. The kid's 19 (tomorrow) in a league filled with 20-24 year-olds, some of whom would be on NHL rosters had there not been a lockout. I think he'll be fine. Maybe not on the NHL roster this year or even in the next couple, but within a few years.

[Spndnchz]

UM.  I don't know much, haven't seen him play.  But I do know his name is Zemgus.

[shrader]

Lanny, on 04 January 2013 - 09:57 AM, said:

Are there transfer rules from NCAA to AHL similar to the rules from Juniors?

If you play pro hockey at any level, you're inelligble for the NCAA.  If you play major junior, you're inelligible.  I even saw a real screwy rule come up this year.  A freshman direct from Sweden was suspended for two games because he played in two different games over there AGAINST a guy who at one point played in a pro league.  Figure that one out.

[Buffalo Fan]

shrader, on 04 January 2013 - 11:54 AM, said:

If you play pro hockey at any level, you're inelligble for the NCAA.  If you play major junior, you're inelligible.  I even saw a real screwy rule come up this year.  A freshman direct from Sweden was suspended for two games because he played in two different games over there AGAINST a guy who at one point played in a pro league.  Figure that one out.

Shrader, what's your opinion on how he is doing this year?

[LabattBlue]

I've expressed concern about his offensive skill development in different threads.  I just hope the offensive side of the game comes along eventually, and not disappears completely because he was in over his head from the day he turn pro.

[shrader]

Thread Killer, on 04 January 2013 - 12:49 PM, said:

Shrader, what's your opinion on how he is doing this year?

I would have seen his development if he was in Vermont.  Unfortunately I've only seen one Rochester game, so I can't comment.

[Eleven]

We really need ink / Taro / etc. to come up with the answers here.

[Taro T]

Eleven, on 04 January 2013 - 01:50 PM, said:

We really need ink / Taro / etc. to come up with the answers here.

Inky will have to be the source, he gets to a lot more games than I do.

I've only made it to 1 game so far this year and he was pretty much invisible.  Never noticed him in the 1st period.  Actively looked for him in the 2nd and 3rd; he took a few shifts but didn't do anything memorable.  At least on that night, he didn't much ice time.

[Buffalo Fan]

shrader, on 04 January 2013 - 01:40 PM, said:

I would have seen his development if he was in Vermont.  Unfortunately I've only seen one Rochester game, so I can't comment.

I guess I'm wondering if he would have been better off with the Catamounts this year.  Would the Vermont program be a step up from the USHL, a lateral move or a step down?

[shrader]

Thread Killer, on 04 January 2013 - 03:22 PM, said:

I guess I'm wondering if he would have been better off with the Catamounts this year.  Would the Vermont program be a step up from the USHL, a lateral move or a step down?

It's a big step up.  Any NCAA program would be.

[LGR4GM]

Not to be unfair to Girgensons but I want the player that faces adversity and overcomes it. Now maybe that is unrealistic because of his age and current talent level but if he can bring his game up to the speed of the AHL over the next few years IMPO that has less to do with him being "forced up" to early and more of an inability on his part to adapt.  Yes this is a hardline approach but good and great players are pushed to their limits and find ways to overcome them.

We have probably 2-3yrs before we should start being really worried about Girgs.  If he doesn't look like he will crack the Sabres lineup in 2-3yrs I feel this discussion might be more warranted. Until them I'm content to be patient.

Edited by LGR4GM, 04 January 2013 - 03:48 PM.

[inkman]

Thread Killer, on 04 January 2013 - 03:22 PM, said:

I guess I'm wondering if he would have been better off with the Catamounts this year.  Would the Vermont program be a step up from the USHL, a lateral move or a step down?

He's got a ways to go.  Right now, he'd probably fit in on a 4th line role in the NHL.  He's bouncing aroun all the lines 1-4 right now with the Amerks.  He's shown hands in VERY limited capacity, like a couple of shifts.  He'll need a bunch more development before his potential is reached.  

I questioned his draft spot from the start.  He played in a league just above beer league competition.  Not sure how that gets you drafted 13th overall but it did.  Right now, I compare him with Kaleta but less violent hits and (gulp) worse hands.  Can he exceed Pats career line?  Sure. Is it a sure thing, I doubt it.  He probably maxes out a a solid 3rd line C/W.

[BuffaloSoldier2010]

I've been to about 5 games myself.  Kid really doesn't stand out that much and i've made a point to look for him.

He has shown flashes, but that's what they have been, flashes.  You can tell he's got heart, i always see him rushing back to get to defensive assignments.  He's not the fastest on the ice but he tries for sure.  Just his sheer size and apparent drive make me think he's gonna start making a difference sometime in the next two years, but being as young as he is in the league as it's composed right now is a tall order IMO.

I think he'll start improving once he stops getting juggled all over the lineup personally.  If there is an NHL season, i think the opening spots might be a good thing for him.

[26CornerBlitz]

@AmerksHockey
Girgensons cut down the left wing boards, darted toward the net and flipped a back-hander to the top right corner of the net.

Sounds like a nice move by Girgs.

[thesportsbuff]

1. trade paul gaustad for a first round pick

2. draft paul gaustad

[Vanek-Man]

thesportsbuff, on 05 January 2013 - 01:55 AM, said:

1. trade paul gaustad for a first round pick

2. draft paul gaustad

That's a bit harsh. Girgensons is a much more talented player then Paul Gaustad.

The problem with Girgensons is that, with the way his birthdate lined up (he turns 19 today actually), he was one of the youngest players in the entire 2012 NHL draft. With rules protecting the CHL and college athletes, the AHL has very little players under the age of 20. Girgensons has been seeing ice time as a 18 year old. On top of that, he missed some time with an injury. I don't think he will see Buffalo any time soon, unless the lockout prolongs and the Amerks play there again. He's a very raw player but with loads of potential. With a huge emphasis on player development, this is a great value pick. If we were still owned by Golisano and were cheap on scouting/development, then i would worry.

[Buffalo Fan]

Vanek-Man, on 05 January 2013 - 03:28 AM, said:

That's a bit harsh. Girgensons is a much more talented player then Paul Gaustad.

The problem with Girgensons is that, with the way his birthdate lined up (he turns 19 today actually), he was one of the youngest players in the entire 2012 NHL draft. With rules protecting the CHL and college athletes, the AHL has very little players under the age of 20. Girgensons has been seeing ice time as a 18 year old. On top of that, he missed some time with an injury. I don't think he will see Buffalo any time soon, unless the lockout prolongs and the Amerks play there again. He's a very raw player but with loads of potential. With a huge emphasis on player development, this is a great value pick. If we were still owned by Golisano and were cheap on scouting/development, then i would worry.

Youth seems to be the consensus...i have to admit that at draft time i was much more intrigued by him then grigorenko (wanted to get that right for sanchez)...looking forward to seeing him progress over the next couple of years

[Glass Case Of Emotion]

an update from my brother (has attended 8 or 9 Amerks games this season)

Quote

ill tell you i am super impressed with the Latvian guy playing for the amerks
STRONG in the corners

[K-9]

LastPommerFan, on 07 January 2013 - 10:45 AM, said:

an update from my brother (has attended 8 or 9 Amerks games this season)

This bodes well for an 18 year old now facing much older, physically mature players. If he becomes one of those players that's just hard to play against on a nightly basis, he's gonna help us for years to come.

GO SABRES!!!

[sizzlemeister]

K-9, on 07 January 2013 - 10:51 AM, said:

This bodes well for an 18 year old now facing much older, physically mature players. If he becomes one of those players that's just hard to play against on a nightly basis, he's gonna help us for years to come.

I think this is it. The guy just turned 19, but has been hanging in there with the older players. When I saw him, he did not look "out of place" on the Amerks. He'll need another season there, I think, if for nothing else but to allow him to mature intellectually and emotionally so he can wrap his head around his own future. Call him up from time to time so he can get a taste of the NHL level - the drop off is pretty big between the NHL and the AHL - and then see if he takes off.