http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1906/news

Доигралась бабка в чику...Долго его чудачества терпели в этом сезоне. Много по времени играл, несмотря на удручающую остальную статистику. И ведь заиграл наконец Максим в середине декабря, как раньше. Но в Январе опять сдулся.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: John Vogl reports Buffalo Sabres forward Maxim Afinogenov could be getting a change of scenery in the -season. Sabres GM Darcy Regier admitted Thursday that Afinogenov might benefit from a trade and it was something the club's front ice would consider. Afinogenov has one-year at $3.5 million remaining on his current contract. Among the club's priorities this summer is to re-sign goalie Ryan Miller and forward Jason Pominville, who both have a year remaining on their current contracts, and to find a backup for Miller as head coach Lindy Ruff lost confidence in Jocelyn Thibault this season.



SPECTOR'S NOTE: Afinogenov had a season from hell this year but his previous numbers clearly indicate he's a capable top six scoring forward, and could attract considerable attention from teams seeking ensive depth (hello there, Vancouver Canucks and Tampa Bay Lightning) this summer. Re-signing Miller and Pominville might not be easy as both could want assurances that the club is committed to building and maintaining a winner.As for Thibault, this could be his final season in the NHL, but the lack of goalie depth in this summer's UFA pool might make it possible for him to find a new NHL team.

Afinogenov was benched for most of Wednesday's game after he committed a costly turnover, The Buffalo News reports
"I spent two days talking about taking care of the puck and long shifts and I was dead serious when I said ice time is going to have to be reduced [for players that don't comply]," said an irate head coach Lindy Ruff after the game. Afinogenov was already on shaky ground because of a recent scoring slump and the Sabres' return to full strength after a series of early-season injuries. Afinogenov's ice time should remain minimal for the foreseeable future and it's even possible that he will be a healthy scratch.

Since returning from a groin injury Feb. 29, Afinogenov has played in 43 games. His goal total in that span? Two. He has just one goal in 28 games this year.

Back in his heyday, Afinogenov was alongside the likes of Vincent Lecavalier, Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Brendan Shanahan, Ryan Smyth and Mats Sundin. Now his stats have him ranked with Marcel Goc, Joel Ward, Colin Fraser, Cody McCormick and Tomas Kopecky.

And none of them is making $3.5 million.

He’s taken 60 shots, which ranks sixth on the Sabres. But he’s scoring on just 1.7 percent of his attempts, which ranks 551st out of the 759 skaters who have played in the NHL this season.

The goals against dropped Afinogenov to minus-14 this season, tied for fifth worst in the NHL. He is minus- 20 in the half season since his injury.

Последие 7 игр, 1 передача и -9