n unrestricted free agency. Hopefully, we're not one of them, but that's the probability."Buffalo identified centre as its most pressing need this off-season. And it's a position that's been lacking since the team lost top-line centres Daniel Briere and Chris Drury in free agency in 2007.The Sabres are coming off a disappointing season in which a lack of chemistry and injuries led their high-priced roster to miss the playoffs for the third time in five years.Grigorenko, listed at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, played for Quebec of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League last season. He led the league's rookies with 45 goals and 85 points in 59 games despite dealing with an illness at the end of the season.Grigorenko is already living out of a hotel in Buffalo,Stan Mikita Authentic Jersey, and intends to stay in town at least through the team's rookie developmental camp in two weeks."For sure I want to play in NHL," he said Monday. "I'll do everything to make NHL."And Grigorenko regarded a potential labour dispute that could delay the start of the season as something that could help his chances."Probably it will be better for me because I'll have more time to prepare to play in the NHL," he said. "So I'll have more time to get stronger, learn more things about hockey."Girgensons, listed at 6-foot-2 and 198 pounds, is from Latvia but has spent the past three seasons playing in North America. Last season, his second with Dubuque of the U.S. Hockey League, he led the team with 55 points (24 goals, 31 assists) in 49 games, with six of his goals game-winners.Girgensons is committed to playing at Vermont this season. Regier said the team is taking a wait-and-see approach with Girgensons before opening contract talks.The Sabres also drafted centres Justin Kea (73rd overall) and Logan Nelson (133rd).
The Colorado Avalanche announced Monday that defenseman Ryan Wilson agreed to a three-year contract through the 2014-15 season. Ryan WilsonDefense - COLGoals: 1 | Assists: 20 | Pts: 21Shots: 63 | +/-: +11"Ryan brings an element that complements our defense," Avs general manager Greg Sherman said. "We are pleased to sign him to a multiyear deal and look forward to seeing him at camp."Wilson, 25, appeared in 59 games for the Avalanche this past season, tallying 21 points (1 goal, 20 assists) with a plus-11 rating. His 20 assists were a career best, while his 21 points matched his personal high set in 2009-10.Acquired from Calgary on March 4, 2009, Wilson has 58 points (7 goals, 51 assists) and 137 penalty minutes in 187 career NHL games.In addition to Wilson, the Avalanche also signed forwards Patrick Bordeleau and David Van Der Gulik to one-year contracts.
TORONTO - Joe Sakic, Brendan Shanahan, Mats Sundin and Jeremy Roenick lead the list of first-year eligible players hoping to get the call from the Hockey Hall of Fame.The Hall will announces its newest inductees on Tuesday. The 2012 class will enter the Hall on Nov. 22."Every year now it's getting real difficult," Hall of Famer Scotty Bowman, a member of the Hall's 18-member selection committee, said of choosing the inductees. Sakic would seem a slam dunk, however.He won two Stanley Cups and finished his career with 625 goals and 1,016 assists in 1,378 NHL games.Sakic started his NHL career in 1988 with the Quebec Nordiques, moving with the team to Colorado in 1995.Sakic's trophy case includes the Canadian Major Junior Player of the Year Award (1988),Authentic Bobby Hull Jersey, Conn Smythe Trophy (1996), Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (2001), Lester B. Pearson Award (2001) and Hart Memorial Trophy (2001).Sakic, who played in a dozen NHL all-star games, won the world junior championships,Keith Magnuson Authentic Jersey, world championships,Authentic Jeremy Roenick Jersey, World Cup and Olympics in addition to the Stanley Cup.Shanahan, now the league's president of player safety and hockey operations, finished his NHL playing career with 656 goals and 698 assists in 1,524 games with New Jersey, St. Louis, Hartford, the Rangers and Detroit.Winner of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2003, he played in eight all-star games and won two Stanley Cups.Sundin collected 564 goals and 785 assists fr