Line Combos: Grabovski on the wing?

[LEAFSIN4]

I don't remember us ever having tried Grabo on the wing. I think we can all agree that he is very skilled and his speed fits in with the rest of the team. However, aside from that one season under RW when Kulemin scored 30, Grabo has under performed as a C.

Do you think he'd have any success on the wing, say on a line with Lupul and Kadri?

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[PuckMagi]

maybe.... couldn't be any worse than letting him play centre.

though i think he's pretty weak on the boards... so i'm not expecting him to win any battles on the forecheck... espeically against big defensemen.

 

[Mystifo]

I don't remember us ever having tried Grabo on the wing. I think we can all agree that he is very skilled and his speed fits in with the rest of the team. However, aside from that one season under RW when Kulemin scored 30, Grabo has under performed as a C.

Do you think he'd have any success on the wing, say on a line with Lupul and Kadri?

We tried it before I believe he was not as effective.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

I'd like to see him buried with the Marlies, not joking, I am being serious. Buried as was Komi, Connolly, as others were.

If we are not using a buy out on him.

 

[jmart21]

While Iove the bolland addition, I'm now very curious to see how the lineup shakes down.

It seemed that Grabo carved himself a nice little niche as a 3rd line centre under Carlyle and I thought for sure that'd continue.

But this time last year it also appeared RC would rely heavily on Steckel this past year lol.

 

[jmart21]

I'd like to see him buried with the Marlies, not joking, I am being serious. Buried as was Komi, Connolly, as others were.

If we are not using a buy out on him.

There's a big difference between Grabo and those 2. Grabo is still a very good NHL player. He was give a role by RC and excelled at it.

 

[Maple Leaf]

I would rather pay Bozak his money and dump Grabo than keep Grabo and let Bozak walk

 

[BigMac*]

I'd like to see him buried with the Marlies, not joking, I am being serious. Buried as was Komi, Connolly, as others were.

If we are not using a buy out on him.

Grabo's an NHL player. What would be the reason to send him to the minors when we could jus use a compliance buyout on him if needed?

 

[BigMac*]

Also, Grabo cant play wing. If he cant crack one of the top 3 center spots after FA this year, he'll be bought out this year or next. Hoping this doesn't happen tho

 

[jmart21]

I would rather pay Bozak his money and dump Grabo than keep Grabo and let Bozak walk

I agree, to an extent.

Bozak is probably the better third line centre, yes.

But there's a difference between signing a a player to 5M+ with the intention of them being your 3C and having one of your 5M players fall into the role.

To me, it's nice to see that RC isn't playing players on 1st/2nd/3rd/4th lines based on their salaries. He's playing them to their strengths. Something this team was lacking under RW.

 

[Purity*]

I agree, to an extent.

Bozak is probably the better third line centre, yes.

But there's a difference between signing a a player to 5M+ with the intention of them being your 3C and having one of your 5M players fall into the role.

To me, it's nice to see that RC isn't playing players on 1st/2nd/3rd/4th lines based on their salaries. He's playing them to their strengths. Something this team was lacking under RW.

Who makes the better 3rd line center is completely irrelevant... Bolland is our 3rd line center now and he's a way better 3rd line center than Grabovski or Bozak could ever be.. I think Bozak walks, and they're gonna try Grabo as second line C this year... No reason he shouldn't produce if they give him Lupul, Kulemin, Clarkson or whoever for his wingers...

 

[Hero]

Issue is

2 - Kadri
3 - Bolland
4 - McClement

Grabo needs to be the #1 C, move to the wing, or just leave.

 

[jmart21]

Who makes the better 3rd line center is completely irrelevant... Bolland is our 3rd line center now and he's a way better 3rd line center than Grabovski or Bozak could ever be.. I think Bozak walks, and they're gonna try Grabo as second line C this year... No reason he shouldn't produce if they give him Lupul, Kulemin, Clarkson or whoever for his wingers...

Exactly. See my first post. It's obvious Bolland is our 3C, which is great. I'm just very curious to see what moves follow this one up, because it seemed like RC really liked Grabo as 3C.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

There's a big difference between Grabo and those 2. Grabo is still a very good NHL player. He was give a role by RC and excelled at it.

Grabo is not a #1C on this team, Kadri in only his first full season is already better than Grabo was as at #2C, and he was a colossal failure as the #3 shutdown C.

Really the only spot he would excel at is #4C and Mcclement has him covered there too.

The guy has no intangibles to speak of, he is so well thought of defensively, JVR, Kule, Bozak, and Komarov are all used before him on the #2 PK in the NHL last year. He is the 3rd choice for face-offs last year to Bozak and Mcclement.

Yeah the more I write about him the more awful he truly is.

 

[jmart21]

Grabo is not a #1C on this team, Kadri in only his first full season is already better than Grabo was as at #2C, and he was a colossal failure as the #3 shutdown C.

Really the only spot he would excel at is #4C and Mcclement has him covered there too.

The guy has no intangibles to speak of, he is so well thought of defensively, JVR, Kule, Bozak, and Komarov are all used before him on the #2 PK in the NHL last year. He is the 3rd choice for face-offs last year to Bozak and Mcclement.

Yeah the more I write about him the more awful he truly is.

 

[Mikeyg]

I would rather buyout grabo and use the money on weiss or vinny, its a no brainer. Grabo cant play 1c.

 

[A1LeafNation]

Lupul Kadri Kessel
JVR Lecavalier Grabovski reminiscent of the Malone/Lecavalier/St.Louis line
Kulemin Bolland Clarkson
McLaren McClemment Orr
Bolborne

Grabs was misused on the 3rd line the same way Carlyle misused Lupul in Anaheim. He is a top 6 scorer who was crashing Chara in the playoffs, he can definitely play wing. He just never had the opportunity to because we never had capable centers for him to play with.

 

[The Blue Devil]

maybe.... couldn't be any worse than letting him play centre.

though i think he's pretty weak on the boards... so i'm not expecting him to win any battles on the forecheck... espeically against big defensemen.

Do you watch any games?

 

[The_Chosen_One]

Grabovski is clearly better than Bozak as a "third line" or shut down centre. Tyler has been very unsuccessful in establishing possession against top lines. Yes, he's patient with the puck and defensively responsible for a top or sheltered role, but definitely not against top lines.

 

[ErnieLeafs]

I believe he'll be told to be the playoff Grabo from the start, and anchor one of the offensive lines.

If he can maintain that level of play, we'll see his offense come roaring back, this year.

 

[Rielly4]

There is no doubt in my mind Grabo will bounce back on a top 2 line... But i dont think hes a 70 point player regardless.. 60 tops, and thats pushing it after last season. But at 5.5 mil and with the other centers we could potentially sign or trade for, he is EASILY upgradable in the top 6 role, and probably for a guy cheaper then 5.5.. Id rather have Bozak then him to be honest, i like Bozaks game better. Grabo is a powerfull skater and has a hard shot when he can get it off but thats about all i see in his game. He gets in on the forecheck well but doesnt seem to do much except maybe disturb the defense like a fly, barely makes actual strips on it, i think Mclaren was a lot more effective on the forecheck then Grabo was.

Those who say Grabo excelled in Carlyles shutdown role... Your very wrong, Mcclement excelled in the shutdown role when given the oppurtunity, Grabo really just skated around a lot with pretty defensivley aware wingers. When you look at the Boston series, he was -11... That doesnt spell a good shutdown line to me, looks like his defensive play and softness was one of the main reasons we lost. I understand hes playing against a good line, but if your a shutdown line, your only effective if you shut it down... Bolland will be much much better at this role, absolutely can not wait for him to come in.... I havent fully decided who i want on his wings though, i think Carter Ashton may be a good fit although his passing game isnt great his cycle game is great, hes great on the forecheck and is a terrific two way player with grit. Biggs is also a defensivley aware player whos good on the forecheck and adds toughness, but he may be a tad young to jump in.... D'amigo is a great PK guy who has a tireless work ethic and good playmaking off the cycle and can score clutch goals, but hes small, but stocky. Id like one of these guys to play the 3rd line with Bolland. But Grabos got to go, ill give Kulemin one more year unless another team is interested in him.. Hes big, Strong, but overrated defensivley, good on the PK but 5 on 5 not very good defensivley in my opinion... Again -11 a lot of those last minute Bruins goals were his fault if you go back.

 

[shaner8989]

Like the idea and if he sucks this season use a compliance buyout

Jvr ??? Kessel
Lupul kadri grabovski
Kulemin bolland ???
Damigo mclement Orr

Weiss and Clarkson would be awesome

 

[ULF_55]

Considering the complete meltdown Kadri had on the dot against the Bruins was Eakins right to play him on the wing?

Over an entire season Grabovski was far and wide better at center than Kadri.

Perhaps Kadri should be used like Cammalleri has for most of his career, as a playmaking winger.

As Interactif pointed out yesterday, in the Biggs thread you don't judge players by the boxscore.

 

[The_Chosen_One]

There is no doubt in my mind Grabo will bounce back on a top 2 line... But i dont think hes a 70 point player regardless.. 60 tops, and thats pushing it after last season. But at 5.5 mil and with the other centers we could potentially sign or trade for, he is EASILY upgradable in the top 6 role, and probably for a guy cheaper then 5.5.. Id rather have Bozak then him to be honest, i like Bozaks game better. Grabo is a powerfull skater and has a hard shot when he can get it off but thats about all i see in his game. He gets in on the forecheck well but doesnt seem to do much except maybe disturb the defense like a fly, barely makes actual strips on it, i think Mclaren was a lot more effective on the forecheck then Grabo was.

Those who say Grabo excelled in Carlyles shutdown role... Your very wrong, Mcclement excelled in the shutdown role when given the oppurtunity, Grabo really just skated around a lot with pretty defensivley aware wingers. When you look at the Boston series, he was -11... That doesnt spell a good shutdown line to me, looks like his defensive play and softness was one of the main reasons we lost. I understand hes playing against a good line, but if your a shutdown line, your only effective if you shut it down... Bolland will be much much better at this role, absolutely can not wait for him to come in.... I havent fully decided who i want on his wings though, i think Carter Ashton may be a good fit although his passing game isnt great his cycle game is great, hes great on the forecheck and is a terrific two way player with grit. Biggs is also a defensivley aware player whos good on the forecheck and adds toughness, but he may be a tad young to jump in.... D'amigo is a great PK guy who has a tireless work ethic and good playmaking off the cycle and can score clutch goals, but hes small, but stocky. Id like one of these guys to play the 3rd line with Bolland. But Grabos got to go, ill give Kulemin one more year unless another team is interested in him.. Hes big, Strong, but overrated defensivley, good on the PK but 5 on 5 not very good defensivley in my opinion... Again -11 a lot of those last minute Bruins goals were his fault if you go back.

How could Mcclement be successful in a shut down role if he was FOURTH in ES ice time during the playoffs? This was even the case when Colborne replaced Bozak. He was iced LESS than Colborne and especially during playoffs shut down lines are usually second in ice time.

It's obvious that homerism thriving here. McClement is an excellent forth liner, but he's an atrocious shut down guy. These type of guys have to be competent in all three zones, and Grabovski has been exclusively used in the shut down role in the playoffs. McClement played on the wing at times, but so did MacArthur and he even seem better as well. We signed for Bolland ( gave up a good number of picks), because they want to take Grabovski out of the shut down role. It's clear that McClement doesn't even matter outside of a defensive-zone specialist role.

 

[LEAFSIN4]

Considering the complete meltdown Kadri had on the dot against the Bruins was Eakins right to play him on the wing?

Over an entire season Grabovski was far and wide better at center than Kadri.

Perhaps Kadri should be used like Cammalleri has for most of his career, as a playmaking winger.

As Interactif pointed out yesterday, in the Biggs thread you don't judge players by the boxscore.

I don't think the thread name change was necessary, but I see your points.