Confirmed with Link: Leafs Buying Out Grabovski

[ErnieLeafs]

Bozak's injuries at that point severely impaired his ability to win the faceoffs.

But hey, all you hear from Grabo fans are excuses, right?

If you're hurt enough to cost your team the game, sit down, and don't be so selfish. His selfish attitude is reflected again in his contract negotiations.

 

[Faltorvo]

Have to agree. bunjay made a very valid point there.

I'm really sad it had to end this way. Feel bad for the guy, he's getting married tomorrow and he probably feels like ass right now.

Sorry, but i can't be really sad for him, he and his agent made that (sht) contract demand to BB, Karma is a btch, ya reap what ya sow.

 

[hockeygeek]

Tricep was torn 70% or something like that? Think he was also having shoulder complications from that Gudas hit

Oh yeah, that would hinder your face-off ability

 

[LeafOfBread]

Grabo under performed all season long. He gave us one stellar year...the year his contract was up and that is all. I will say he tried damn hard, and gave a ton of effort even after being pasted by all the Bruins; however his comments about Carlyle were unprofessional, to say the least. He has a right to be upset, but be professional. I didnt see Komisarek lashing out when he got bought out. As well (not to be racist) but this is why Burke strayed from Russian players. They are known to have an attitude, and some never can adjust to the North American style. Such players as Kovalev Kositsyn, Kovalchuk to name a few all have had attitude issues..when things are good they act like they are the sole reason and party it up and when things arent going well they lash out. Look at when Russia beat Canada and they had to land the plane because of how they were acting.

In my opinion Nonis did the right thing. He has a plan obviously and he fixed Burkes two big mistakes. Grabo was getting almost what Vinny just signed to in Philly...and we all know Grabo isnt close to that kind of player. I have said it on these boards since draft day and I will say it again. We as leaf fans have wanted to see a big productive off seasons, and sign some big name UFAs or make some big deals...this is the off season it will happen

Dude, Grabovski was nothing but class when he was here and always said good things. Even during the season when he was asked about his 'new role', he didn't complain and said he was happy the team was winning games.

Don't lump him in with the Sergei and Andrei Kostitsyns of the world. Those guys are lazy prima donnas, Grabo worked his ass off whenever he played. Btw, Grabo is Belarussian, not Russian.

 

[ErnieLeafs]

Lol what hurts? I liked Grabo, but long-term I don't really see a place for him here.

Mirtle is taking it too far, to the point of obsession. He's been going back and forth with fans all day.

He's passionate about the topic of idiots using +/- to quantify a player's contributions, and worth to his team.

At least someone is fighting the good fight.

 

[LeafOfBread]

Sorry, but i can't be really sad for him, he and his agent made that (sht) contract demand to BB, Karma is a btch, ya reap what ya sow.

Oh yeah, karma for signing at market value People seriously need to think before they post around here.

 

[WildcatMapleLeafs28]

Very shocked to turn on my laptop to see this. I thought he'd have another chance. Sure he struggles a bit in a different role but it was only half a season. I guess I'll wait and see what move Nonis makes next before I get too upset.

 

[The_Chosen_One]

Grabovski isn't a defensive player. When people say "Grabovski is a good two-way player," they're pointing out that when Grabovski is on the ice 5v5, the Leafs have the puck more often than not, which is a pretty good way to cut down on your opponent's scoring chances. That does not mean you put him out when you're turtling, because the guy can't play straight defense; he's not Jay McClement.

Well, yeah, he isn't a defensive zone specialist like McClement. I wouldn't consider Datsyuk and Zetterberg a defensive zone specialist. The fact is Grabovski was our top shut down centre even though he couldn't produce offensively. His minutes only went up against the top lines during the playoffs.

Traditional checking liners that slow down top lines only need to be paid entry-level contracts. Chicago, Los Angeles, etc are using much lower cost solutions in that role while their top liners are being used against top lines. Our top scoring line and shut down line should be the only high cap lines.

One is expecting that with decent drafting, we should be able to fill in depth roles with quality prospects. We need to be thinking long-term rather than handing out bloated contracts. Seeing that Chicago moved Bolland tells us that they will be using an EL player to deal with defensive zone checking duties.

 

[Havoc]

i kinda agree he was miss used but what not like Coach purposely missed used him. Bozak and Kadri were better option as 1 and 2nd line C. So basically if u want to play grabo u had to play him 3rd line checking role no?. it sucks that we had to buy out a good top six Centre but he was way overpaid and unfortunately no one was will to give up assets for trade. i have no doubt he will bounce back but not here.

I guess it's more about the assignments itself. As someone said earlier, Grabo is not McClement. Similarly, McClement would not be able to do what Grabovski can do in a top 6 role. If I had things my way ( with the assets available to us of course..obviously I'd prefer different players than grabos and bozaks if i really had things my way lol) I would have gave grabo a lengthy run as 1C with kadri lighting it up on line 2 and give Bozak the checking line role.

 

[Mikeyg]

Ya he better apologize to randy, Ive never heard such crap in all of my life, "it didnt work out I guess" would of been more then suffice, did vinny say any of that crap when he got bought out? Take it like a man.

 

[jrgtml67]

Exactly. And Grabovski is always first forward back on the back check even when playing in a scoring role. This hate is absurd. Hate his contract ( which is now gone), not him. One lockout shortened season in a role he was not suited for and everyone jumps off the Grabo wagon.

To be clear...about the post I just made..I dont hate him BUT I do not think his comments at the coach were justified. Randy played him what he deserved..as a second line center you need to provide offense as well as defense consistently. Grabo was always good in his own zone...not as good as Boz or McClement but good, he was always back checking hard, and always made a great effort. But when you get paid that kind of money and are not scoring, and Nonis had the option to fix Burkes mistake..sorry Grabs bye bye.

Now more than ever I am excited to see what is next. Bozak is surely gone, if he still wants the offer tabled earlier this week, meaning we are out 2 centers. So we have Bolland Kadri and McClement. Which is another reason I think Grabo got the boot...we have 3 centers better suited for our needs, and his contract would have hindered Nonis' ability to sign that big UFA (or 2) or make a good trade. With we have going into tomorrow I am very anxious to see what is going to happen

 

[LeafsMonster]

Can't blame grabo for being mad about being misused, he was and it was obviously frustrating for a guy that's been here for 5 years and wants to contribute to winning. But maybe he shouldn't have ranted about it to a reporter

 

[LeafOfBread]

He's passionate about the topic of idiots using +/- to quantify a player's contributions, and worth to his team.

At least someone is fighting the good fight.

I don't disagree with him on that. The +/- arguments are pretty stupid, especially when you don't factor in Quality of Competition.

However, I felt like he was taking it too far with the corsi crap, not even just arguing with those who used the +/- argument but people in general who felt that Mirtle was putting too much stock into his advanced stats.

Advanced stats are great but they should be used a supplement, not as a sole piece of data to judge players and teams/coaches.

Grabovski is a great possession player, but he has tunnel vision and I simply didn't see him here long term.

It's hard to find people who have a good balance between using advanced stats and simply watching the game. I feel like people are always on the extreme ends, they either only look at the advanced stats to judge a player or they only watch the game and ignore all advanced stats.

 

[Faltorvo]

The few "good riddance, it's obvious now that he has attitude problems" posts I've seen already are sadly reminiscent of the sour grapes we heard from Montreal fans way back when.

I don't know what it is about Grabovski that's so polarizing. It seems people either love his skill and speed and work ethic, or hate his game and think he's got "tunnel vision."

Let's keep things in perspective. Grabovski had a bad half-season, magnified by having been given a bad contract. Why was everybody so much more forgiving of Kulemin? Their peak and subsequent low are so similar, just with Kulemin's low lasting quite a bit longer.

Kuli vs Grabo contract, contract ,contract=Cap world.

Magnified by our coach miscasting him.

I find it odd that a C that put up solid 5v5 #s got shoved to 3rd line checking role and yet the stalwart defensive C that can't produce any worthy O, skating with the likes of Kessel-JVR/Lups was not tried there?

We bending over to please Kessel seeing how he has us over a world class barrel?

 

[jrgtml67]

Ya he better apologize to randy, Ive never heard such crap in all of my life, "it didnt work out I guess" would of been more then suffice, did vinny say any of that crap when he got bought out? Take it like a man.

Again not being racist. Its just the Russian ideology. They are GODS over there in the KHL..when they come to planet earth and get treated well but not as GODS that can do no wrong this happens. I will also say not all are like that. Malkin and Kulemin come to mind..I know neither would ever say anything to the affect that Grabs did. What is funny is I liked Grabo..he tried so damn hard, and felt bad for him in the playoffs sooo damn close many times, but now I am glad he is gone. If he was like that to team mates we dont need that in our locker room.

 

[thewave]

Rant? He got fired on his wedding day pretty much? I would have words too! Lol then I would understand I just made 20m for nothing and say puck it.

He was a fine player on a bad contract at the wrong time during a CBA year with a bad 50 games prior. That's wha the record will show.

 

[Mikeyg]

Again not being racist. Its just the Russian ideology. They are GODS over there in the KHL..when they come to planet earth and get treated well but not as GODS that can do no wrong this happens. I will also say not all are like that. Malkin and Kulemin come to mind..I know neither would ever say anything to the affect that Grabs did. What is funny is I liked Grabo..he tried so damn hard, and felt bad for him in the playoffs sooo damn close many times, but now I am glad he is gone. If he was like that to team mates we dont need that in our locker room.

Yeah im pretty sure the only context where grabo and god makes sense, is "god I havent scored in awhile". Some1 needs to tell that guy that crap talking a coach is bad over here.

 

[hockeygeek]

Again not being racist. Its just the Russian ideology. They are GODS over there in the KHL..when they come to planet earth and get treated well but not as GODS that can do no wrong this happens. I will also say not all are like that. Malkin and Kulemin come to mind..I know neither would ever say anything to the affect that Grabs did. What is funny is I liked Grabo..he tried so damn hard, and felt bad for him in the playoffs sooo damn close many times, but now I am glad he is gone. If he was like that to team mates we dont need that in our locker room.

what are you talking about? Russian ideology? Hockey players aren't treated like gods in Canada? Uggghhh

 

[jrgtml67]

Kuli vs Grabo contract, contract ,contract=Cap world.

Magnified by our coach miscasting him.

I find it odd that a C that put up solid 5v5 #s got shoved to 3rd line checking role and yet the stalwart defensive C that can't produce any worthy O, skating with the likes of Kessel-JVR/Lups was not tried there?

We bending over to please Kessel seeing how he has us over a world class barrel?

Actually JVR and Lupul saw third line minutes several times. Forgetting the dreaded Kadri Lupul duo? I dont think its that people hate grabo at all. It is that he bashed our coach who did amazing things with this team. No one saw them taking the Bruins to game 7. Regardless of our late collapse...we had no business being in game 7 on paper..but we were and a huge reason was Randy. In fact Kadri praised his success on the coaching. Yet Grabo immaturely cries cause he got bought out. Lest we forget the amount of money that Grabo is about to get a cheque for. If I got bought out and getting that kind of money..ya id be upset cause players want to play but ya lotsa money and im sure a team would pick him up..now who knows if a team would want someone that is going to act that way. I see him in KHL for rest of his career

 

[Faltorvo]

Oh yeah, karma for signing at market value People seriously need to think before they post around here.

Well brother it sure as heck did a 180, did it not?

We could not even get a 7th or bottom end prospect for him.

You really think the wrighting was not on the wall when he was signed, that the cap was going to plummet?, lots of forsightful pundits had been warning it well before we signed him.

Grabos saving grace was a semi desperate BB and a ownership group that was looking to sell and max out the franchise value as a playoff revenue team.

This ain't rocker surgery, ya know.

 

[ErnieLeafs]

I don't disagree with him on that. The +/- arguments are pretty stupid, especially when you don't factor in Quality of Competition.

However, I felt like he was taking it too far with the corsi crap, not even just arguing with those who used the +/- argument but people in general who felt that Mirtle was putting too much stock into his advanced stats.

Advanced stats are great but they should be used a supplement, not as a sole piece of data to judge players and teams/coaches.

Grabovski is a great possession player, but he has tunnel vision and I simply didn't see him here long term.

It's hard to find people who have a good balance between using advanced stats and simply watching the game. I feel like people are always on the extreme ends, they either only look at the advanced stats to judge a player or they only watch the game and ignore all advanced stats.

I agree, as extremes on either end can cloud and distort your view, or general perception of what's there.

I look at stats in coaching kids, but in reality, I look at what's happening more. But that also is situational, and contextual, like any scouting/coaching/evaluating is, and should be.

I saw no point in spending 14+ million dollars to get rid of him, when 48 games is the sample size. He should have been allowed to rebound, and at least garner value at next year's deadline. If not, he gets bought out after a clear and proven regression in his game.

I don't think he should've lashed out, but I don't think reporters should've been fishing for a quote at that time either. They clearly capitalized on a very emotionally distraught individual, and it kind of saddens me, when we all know that was exactly the point.

I, for one, have met Mikhail, and will cheer for him wherever he goes. Best of luck to him.

As for Nonis and Co., Spott, wasting a buyout on Komisarek, and now this.... Honestly... The verdict on Nonis is up in the air for me, and a lot rides on the next few days.

 

[Mikeyg]

Rant? He got fired on his wedding day pretty much? I would have words too! Lol then I would understand I just made 20m for nothing and say puck it.

He was a fine player on a bad contract at the wrong time during a CBA year with a bad 50 games prior. That's wha the record will show.

So whos going to be your new favorite now? You should go off the board and show Bernier some love, or some1 new.

 

[jrgtml67]

Dude, Grabovski was nothing but class when he was here and always said good things. Even during the season when he was asked about his 'new role', he didn't complain and said he was happy the team was winning games.

Don't lump him in with the Sergei and Andrei Kostitsyns of the world. Those guys are lazy prima donnas, Grabo worked his ass off whenever he played. Btw, Grabo is Belarussian, not Russian.

Ya he said that in the season, and contradicts that after his buy out..meaning he said what he said in season and it was a lie

 

[Hurt]

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