BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Sabres have selected center Mikhail Grigorenko with the 12th pick in the NHL draft on Friday night.
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, Grigorenko is from Russia, but 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 fills a key need for Buffalo, which was considering trading one or both of its first-round picks in a bid to land an experienced center.
The Sabres also have the 21st pick, which they acquired in trading center Paul Gaustad to Nashville in February.
Buffalo closes the draft with seven picks on Saturday, including a pair of second-rounders, Nos. 42 and 44.
