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Position: Left Wing
Shoots: Right
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 207
Birth Date: 6-1-75
Place of Birth: Vyskov, Czechoslovakia
Jersey Number: 18
Compensation: $637,500

The Finesse Game
Maddeningly inconsistent, Grosek has an array of NHL-calibre skills at his disposal but doesn't always have the inclination to use them. It's one of the reasons why Grosek was benched for a seven-game stretch in late March and early April. He is still very young and has an eagerness to succeed at the NHL level. He is an excellent stickhandler, and he can be absolutely magical with the puck. He is good enough to play his off-wing (left) as well as the right. He doesn't have a great shot, but he intimidates with his speed and drives to the net. With more confidence, his release may improve. Grosek is a bundle of talent whose first shot at an NHL job was derailed by two serious injuries. He uses his speed and size to create some room and he is genuinely tough. Defensively, Grosek's game has improved, largely from getting to play with Mike Peca. If only Peca's work ethic would rub off as well.

The Physical Game
On his best nights, Grosek plays like a young Claude Lemieux, abrasive and a little undisciplined. But Lemieux played that way every night. Grosek only plays that way against the Flyers. He is an impact player when he takes the bit in his teeth and goes a little wild. If He could do it over the majority of the 82-game schedule, he would be a star.

The Intangibles
Grosek had a huge playoffs, and maybe the taste of what kind of game he can play at his top level will carry over into this season. He is a project, and one a lot of NHL teams will be willing to take on if the Sabres run out of patience.

Projection
We've been waiting two seasons for Grosek's breakout year, and we're willing to wait a little longer. There is enough skill and ability here for a 25-goal season. We don't know if he will make the commitment.

Season	Team/League	GP	G	A	TP	PIM	+/-	PP	SH	GW	GT	Shots	Pct
1992-93	ZPS/CZECH	17	1	3	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
1993-94	MONC/AHL	20	1	2	3	47	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
1993-94	TACO/WHL	30	25	20	45	106	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
1993-94	WINN/NHL	3	1	0	1	0	-1	0	0	0	0	4	25.00
1994-95	SPRI/AHL	45	10	22	32	98	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
1994-95	WINN/NHL	24	2	2	4	21	-3	0	0	1	0	27	7.41
1995-96	BUFF/NHL	22	6	4	10	31	0	2	0	1	1	33	18.18
1995-96	SPRI/AHL	39	16	19	35	68	0	4	0	4	0	0	0.00
1995-96	WINN/NHL	1	0	0	0	0	-1	0	0	0	0	1	0.00
1996-97	BUFF/NHL	82	15	21	36	71	25	1	0	2	1	117	12.82
1997-98	BUFF/NHL	67	10	20	30	60	9	2	0	1	0	114	8.77
1998-99	BUFF/NHL	76	20	30	50	102	21	4	0	3	1	140	14.29
NHL TOT		275	54	77	131	285	50	9	0	8	3	436