Risk Management

I'm a hockey fan. But, it has been hard to stay really focused on the NHL with the Sabres missing the playoffs.

But, today I feel like talking about risk management and some risks the Sabres will be looking at this off season.

Risk #1 is South Buffalo native Patrick Kane. In case you missed it, Patrick Kane has been partying this off season. And that has created a lot of media chatter that the Chicago Blackhawks need to rid themselves of the talented, but immature Kane. 

If the cost of acquiring Kane is greatly reduced due to the immaturity issues, I wouldn't mind the Sabres rolling the dice on acquiring Kane. I would give up Derek Roy and a 2nd round pick and hope that a move back home will get Kane to mature. There is plenty of risk given how one of Kane's most infamous partying episodes that led to a brush with the law took place in Buffalo. But, if the Sabres can buy low on a player that has the talent to be a difference maker, I think they need to consider it.

But, it all comes down to risk management and whether the Sabres have a belief that they can put the right support system around Kane to get him to mature quickly.

Another potential risk assessment the Sabres will need to do this off season is at the draft with top 5 talent Mikhail Grigorenko could fall on draft day due to concerns about whether he plays hard all the time and more importantly, whether he'll go back to Russia to play for CSKA of the KHL since they can offer way more than he will get from an NHL rookie max contract.

Some people see the Montreal Canadiens taking Grigorenko, especially given that Patrick Roy was Grigorenko's coach with the Quebec Remparts. Although, plenty of people have downgraded Grigorenko given how quietly the Remparts went out in the QMJHL playoffs.

One reason I can see the Sabres passing on Grigorenko is previous comments by Sabres GM Darcy Regier where he said that you need a few Russians in the locker room if they are to work out. The Sabres currently have no Russians on the team or in the development pipeline. And I don't see Grigorenko being a guy that the Sabres make major changes to the players on the roster and/or in the pipeline to fit into the team.

But, the guy has a ton of talent and he fills a position of need at center...........

Another question is what do the Sabres view as the "Prototypical Sabre"?

I wouldn't mind it if the answer was similar to what the NFL's Baltimore Ravens have. The Sabres could use more tough guys that play hard and fast and would play the game for free.