Max Afinogenov : 2008-2009 Report Card

by David Oleksy on May 21, 2009 7:00 AM EDT in 2008-2009 Report Card Comment 5 comments

It's time to put the finishing touches on the 2008-2009 season for the Buffalo Sabres. Here is a complete report card of every single player that played a significant amount of time with the Sabres this season. Thanks to Japers Rink and Mile High Hockey for the inspiration.

Maxim Afinogenov

#61 / Right Wing / Buffalo Sabres

Height: 6-0

Weight: 191

Born: Sep 04, 1979

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2008 - Maxim Afinogenov	48	6	14	20	-7	20	0	0	0	0	93	6.5

Key Stat: Max scored zero power play goals despite being ranked eighth in power play ice time among forwards. He averaged 2:17/game of power play ice time.

Interesting Stat: Max earned $3.5 million to score 20 points this season. He earned $175,000 for every point he scored this season. Only Henrik Tallinder and Andrew Peters earned more per point.

Line Combinations: (limited to top five to save space)

Ales Kotalik - Adam Mair (534)
Dominic Moore - Daniel Paille (142)
Adam Mair - Dominic Moore (86)
Clarke MacArthur - Adam Mair (85)
Daniel Paille - Derek Roy (80)

Fun Fact: Scored is first hat trick on 12/31/2003 in a 7-1 win over the Washington Capitals. Miroslav Satan also netted a hat trick in that game and Andrew Peters scored his first NHL goal that evening.

Report: I have been very critical of the way that Afinogenov was utilized this season. He was never really given an opportunity to play on a line with other offensive players. We all love Adam Mair but he is not a play-making Center to help Afinogenov utilize his speed.

Max did have an opportunity to succeed on the power play but he scored zero goals. If he showed some goal scoring touch on the power play, it may have opened things up for him at even strength.

2008-2009 Salary (Cap Number): $3,500,000 ($3,333,333)

2009-2010 Status: UFA

Vote: It's time to grade Afinogenov for his play in the 2008-2009 season. Every player has expectations so vote based on those expectations. If a player played to their potential they should receive a "C" if they exceeded expectations they would receive a "B" or an "A".

Discuss: Where will Max play next season? Was he given a fair shot with the Sabres this season? When you think of Max Afinogenov, what is the first thing that comes to mind?

Up Next: Chris Butler

Poll

What is your grade for Max Afinogenov?

A

14 votes

B

6 votes

C

50 votes

D

167 votes

F

119 votes

356 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Max Afinogenov

You know, as much of an enigma as Max is, I still like him. There’s no doubt that he’s one of the most exciting players on the team, and it seemed to me that after he came back from his injury late in the season he seemed to “get it”, what the coaching staff wanted from him, that is. He really looks like he’s trying like hell. If he wasn’t, and if he wasn’t getting scoring opportunities, I’d be more worried. He had alot of chances when he was playing regularly, and on the power play, but at times it seemed like there was plexiglas in front of the goal for him, and he was clearly very frustrated by it. He also draws alot of penalties on the opposition simply because he’s so damn fast and shifty. Given the right linemates, I still think he has star potential.

by SpinDr on May 21, 2009 4:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm a Fan of Max

I know that everyone finds it easy to criticize Max’s production… and I agree that he’s underperformed. But I’ve been preaching from the highest mountain that when he played alongside Roy and Vanek 3 seasons ago, he put up over a point per game… since the departures of Briere and Drury, those two guys have seen a significant increase in ice time while Max plays with the likes of Mair, Paille, and Gaustad. I admire the style of play that Mair and Gaustad provide the team, but they are not playmakers and they would be the first to admit it. Max is going to leave because he’s had enough of Lindy Ruff and his coaching style. If Max chooses the right team to play with next year, he will be the next Geoff Sanderson on Ruff’s resume. Sanderson played only 11-12 minutes per game with the Sabres… then went on to have several years with 30+ goals with the Blue Jackets when they were terrible (but he got 20+ minutes per game). Basically, if you’re not on the ice you can’t score goals… playing a defensively challenged player like Max with Mair, Paille and/or Gaustad doesn’t help the cuase either.

DC Chocolate City!

by djc1877 on May 21, 2009 4:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm ready to move on

Max was definitely misused by Lindy Ruff but that being said, I’m ready to move on. He has been in Buffalo longer than any other player on the team and yet he never won over Lindy Ruff…there is something to say about that. I have a feeling that Max will be one of those guys that goes somewhere else and is very productive but there is no use getting worked up about it. So long Max!

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on May 21, 2009 8:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Max will end up playing in....

Russia. I said it at the beginning of the year. With how bad he was the past two years I can’t see any NHL team paying him as much as he’d make in Russia as a recognizable NHL talent.

by SabreBowie on May 21, 2009 9:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Too Bad . . .

Max has so much potential. With that said, in the words of a former college professor of mine “having potential is good for only so long”. Was he misused this season, playing on a line that was not a good fit for his skill set? Of course. I said this before a couple weeks ago but I can see Max getting picked up by a team like the Washington Capitals, playing alongside Ovechkin and putting up 20-30 goals with another 30 or so assists. This scenario would obviously cause me to pull out every hair from my head but I believe SabreBowie said it best, he will probably be best suited in Russia. In any event, even when my Afinogenov jersey (black and red) becomes a relic, I will always remember and appreciate his time as a Buffalo Sabre.

by uscBillsGamecock on May 22, 2009 12:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs