When Mikhail Grigorenko was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres in the draft-day trade that sent Ryan O’Reilly northeast, he was almost considered a throw-in by many, including Sabres GM Tim Murray. After three tumultuous years that included multiple starts and stops to his NHL career, Grigorenko found new life last season in Colorado as his junior coach, Patrick Roy, helped nurture him back to believing he belonged in the NHL.
A 27-point (6 g/21 a) season for a former top draft pick doesn’t jump off the page but Grigorenko steadily worked his way from opening night scratch to a fixture in Colorado’s top six by the end of the season and his improvement was noticeable to everyone paying attention.