Enroth, Gragnani Make NHL All-Rookie Team

by Andy Boron on Jan 11, 2012 5:13 PM EST

After ~~days~~ ~~weeks~~ months of nothing but sour news for Sabres fans, here's something positive to talk about - NHL.com released its All-Rookie team a few days ago, and the six-man roster included two Buffalo Sabres - goalie Jhonas Enroth and defenseman Marc-Andre Gragnani.

The Buffalo teammates are in pretty good company, joining forwards Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Gabriel Landeskog, Matt Read and defensemen Adam Larsson as the most impressive rookies according the the league('s website.)

Gragnani has had an up-and-down season, and as much as Sabres fans are annoyed by his lack of physical play and penchant for hyper-obvious mistakes, it's nice for MAG to receive some positive attention for his +12 rating and 11 points. The 24-year old is still a great passer, and while he's easily the Sabres least physical d-man, he still has plenty of room to grow as a play making blueliner. Be patient with this one, Sabres fans.

Jhonas Enroth has had a bit of a roller coaster season, but has still played well enough to post a .923 save percentage and a 2.46 GAA. The diminutive Enroth gives Buffalo a solid backup goaltender for the first time since Marty Biron, and leads the league in sliding out of the crease saves, which is a stat I just made up.

Among the doom and gloom that this season has brought, let's take a quick second to acknowledge that these two players are among the NHL's best rookies. Stanley Cup 2015, here we come.

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Comments

Do these guys play All Star week?

I know they used to do a Young Stars game… but I cant remember if they still do?

I hate that I love Buffalo.

by bflo on Jan 11, 2012 7:14 PM EST reply actions

No, the only chance they’d have to perform would be in the skills competition, but I don’t see either MAG or Enroth getting called to do that. I would bet dollars to donuts that Buffalo’s only All-Star weekend representative is Thomas Vanek.

Die By The Blade - Your home for the best Buffalo Sabres talk online.
@andyboron

by Andy Boron on Jan 11, 2012 7:34 PM EST up reply actions

Gotcha.

Thats what I was thinking, but I wasnt sure if they still did the young stars thing or not.

I hate that I love Buffalo.

by bflo on Jan 11, 2012 8:07 PM EST up reply actions

I wish they would.

It was a fun feature. Kind of like a shiney game.
Play 3-on-3, 5-minute periods (or 10-minute halves) before the All-Star game.
Enroth and Markstrom in the nets.
Grags, Adam Larsson, Jared Cowen, and Jonathon Blum as defensemen.
Gabriel Landeskog, Matt Reed, Adam Henrique, Cody Hodgson, Ryan Johansen, and Carl Hagelin for forwards.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Jan 11, 2012 8:30 PM EST up reply actions

NBA does the rookies vs. sophomores game…would love to see something similar in the NHL.

Die By The Blade - Your home for the best Buffalo Sabres talk online.
@andyboron

by Andy Boron on Jan 11, 2012 9:02 PM EST up reply actions

I would rather just stick with the rooks.

They used to do it but I’m sure they had some BS reason to stop.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Jan 11, 2012 9:09 PM EST up reply actions

See Lindy, the league thinks he’s good. Now give the kid some more ice time eh?

by Frank Reich Revolution on Jan 11, 2012 9:50 PM EST reply actions

What Regier should have done...

The Sabres track record with free agents over the past 10 years has been awful. Players come here and their numbers die.

The Sabres track record with draft picks over the past 10 years has been wonderful.

We shouldn’t have invested all that cap space in Leino, Ehrhoff, Regehr but rather just resigned players who performed for us.

Intelligent?

by LanceArmstrong_LIVESTRONG on Jan 12, 2012 12:55 AM EST reply actions

Since 2007, the Sabres have resigned essentially everyone who wasn’t too old (Grier, Niedermayer) or no better than average (Montador, Kennedy)

Die By The Blade - Your home for the best Buffalo Sabres talk online.
@andyboron

by Andy Boron on Jan 12, 2012 6:03 AM EST up reply actions

I do not consider your option to be feasible.

by LanceArmstrong_LIVESTRONG on Jan 12, 2012 9:48 AM EST up reply actions

Well we don't consider your opinion feasible.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Jan 12, 2012 5:48 PM EST up reply actions

Stop following me around.

This was a conversation between Andy and I. He is obviously knowledgeable about the topic.

by LanceArmstrong_LIVESTRONG on Jan 12, 2012 6:13 PM EST up reply actions

If you think a public blog is a form of private conversation

I’m guessing you’re new to the internet.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Jan 12, 2012 6:39 PM EST up reply actions

No, I understand.

It just seems strange that you constantly respond to my posts.

by LanceArmstrong_LIVESTRONG on Jan 12, 2012 7:04 PM EST up reply actions

Wait wait wait

You have no credibility to talk about what the Sabres should and shouldn’t do. You made a fan post clearly stating that you only have watched less than 20 hockey games in your entire life and after 10 sabre games you think the game of hockey has to change its current format because it is dull and boring and nothing like the NBA, which has the greatest athletes in the world. In no way should people even respond to anything you post on this board, and think it’s legitamate. Troll me once, shame on me. Troll me twice, shame on you.

The fans are going to be so loud they are going to hear us in the next Dimension - abayarde

by BillsFanSanDiego619 on Jan 12, 2012 12:52 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

They should raise the nets to 10 feet to increase scoring.

by Frank Reich Revolution on Jan 12, 2012 4:28 PM EST up reply actions

First non gamethread rec.

Enjoys long walks on the beach, Molson Canadian, and making the playoffs.

by AcesNines on Jan 12, 2012 6:42 PM EST up reply actions

What did I say that was wrong?

Numbers are numbers. It’s a legitimate point.

by LanceArmstrong_LIVESTRONG on Jan 12, 2012 7:05 PM EST up reply actions

I think this is appropriate.

Enjoys long walks on the beach, Molson Canadian, and making the playoffs.

by AcesNines on Jan 12, 2012 6:43 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

No

He will never consistently play defense in the NHL. Convert him to a forward and use him on the point as a power play specialist. I thought a defensemen should be able to play defense! You have Erhoff, Meyers, and Leopold for offense. How bout a couple of guys who can play defense (McNabb looking better every game and Weber). Need another good solid physical defensemen.

by Coach Bob on Jan 13, 2012 1:55 AM EST reply actions