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Buffalo Sabres Player Projections: Zemgus Girgensons

By Richard Spalding

Feb 27, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings left wing Kyle Clifford (13) battles with Buffalo Sabres center Zemgus Girgensons (28) for the puck in the first period of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings left wing Kyle Clifford (13) battles with Buffalo Sabres center Zemgus Girgensons (28) for the puck in the first period of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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 Does this former NHL All-Star still have a spot on the Buffalo Sabres roster?  His 2016-17 performance will clearly have something to say about that!

The second in our series of Buffalo Sabres Player Projections will focus on Zemgus Girgensons, a remnant of the Ted Nolan days whose days in the 716 may be numbered.  Should he re-sign with the team, will he be able to find his groove in Dan Bylsma‘s system?

It’s your move, Z!

Player: Zemgus Girgensons

2015-16 stats: 7-11-18, +/- 0 in 71 games played

The 2015-16 season was easily Girgenson’s worst season to date.  Offensively, his numbers were career-lows across the board.  He never found the back of the net in front of the hometown crowd – you read that correctly: Girgensons did not score even one goal in the First Niagara Center – and only managed four assists on home ice.  Occasionally, Z showed chemistry with jack Eichel, which suggests that he MIGHT be able to produce playing alongside Eichel and Sam Reinhart, but more often than not, Girgensons looked lost and tentative playing under his new head coach.

With Bylsma giving Girgensons everything from top-6 to fourth-line minutes, it’s impossible to gauge where Girgensons fits into the Sabres’ plans as we move toward training camp.  Let’s take a look at the HERO chart created by Own The Puck to see where Girgenson’s 2015-16 campaign puts him.

The HERO Chart

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Some of you may have already seen that HERO chart, as it is the same one that was used in the piece about playing Girgensons on the second line.  Again, playing Z on that line would not be a terrible idea, as his possession numbers indicate he would help the two youngsters keep the biscuit on the offensive side of the ice.  And it’s quite possible that Girgensons will see some time in the top-6, as Bylsma seems to enjoy moving his guys around throughout the season.

For the most part, though, Girgensons should receive third-line minutes for most of the season.  It would be nice to see him team up with Brian Gionta and Marcus Foligno – but come on.  That spot is esstenially Johan Larsson‘s to win or lose.   Should the Buffalo Sabres pull off a miracle and sign Jimmy Vesey, maybe the Sabres will roll out a third-line consising of Tyler Ennis, Girgensons and Hudson Fasching, so if you are a fan of Z, pray the Sabres get Vesey or a top-6 left winger before training camp.

Otherwise, expect Girgensons to play most of his minutes in the bottom-6, particularly on the fourth line with Matt Moulson and who-knows.

Projection: 10-13-23

Next: Sabres Player Projections: Tyler Ennis

At the time that this was published, Zemgus Girgensons and the Buffalo Sabres were still working on a contract extension, so there is no guarantee Z will even be wearing a Sabres sweater in 2016-17.   There is most definitely a role for Girgensons to fill on this roster; it just remains to be seen whether he, Dan Bylsma and GM Tim Murray agree on the terms of that role.

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