Speculation: Trade Rumors and Proposals Part II

[showtime8]

At 29, and given we have guys who do pretty much the same thing he does, it's iffy tbh. Frankly, though, he might be the cheapest way to add another skilled centre I can think of. What do the Leafs think his value is right now?

A lot of people are going to tell you that he's a 2nd line centreman, who is being mis-cast on the 3rd line role that he plays in Toronto.

Personally, I think he's a solid 2nd line centreman that will consistently put up 50 points a season. He's being overpaid by about 1.25 mill a season (cap), which will deter teams from picking up his tab.

I really couldn't say what the Leafs value him as. Burke signed him to the contract and is no longer with the team, so I don't think that Nonis is obligated to keep him around. Maybe a draft pick and a depth player for the Marlies (along with retained salary).

 

[TheHudlinator]

When I think about it, the few flashed of Grabo I've seen in Leafs games this past year made me think he's more offensively skilled than Stajan. If we add him, we could have Backlund-Grabovski-Stajan down the middle. We need someone to fill that spot as our third centre, so it might as well be him if the Leafs are looking to get rid of his contract.

It wouldn't be a move that would really help us in the future, though, so it might need to be worked into an exchange of youth as well to make it worth our while. Perhaps this is the sort of deal Feaster was talking about with helping other teams out of bad contracts in order to gain assets.

Grabo was on their third line and did worse than Stajan on ours I would rather just give Stajan the 2nd line center spot and sign a tough 3rd line center like Gordon. Grabo makes 5.5 million for 4 more years and at his best he barely did better than Stajan at his best they are very similar players in terms of production except we already have one that is much cheaper on a shorter contract is a better defensive player (imo).

 

[Anglesmith]

A lot of people are going to tell you that he's a 2nd line centreman, who is being mis-cast on the 3rd line role that he plays in Toronto.

Personally, I think he's a solid 2nd line centreman that will consistently put up 50 points a season. He's being overpaid by about 1.25 mill a season (cap), which will deter teams from picking up his tab.

I really couldn't say what the Leafs value him as. Burke signed him to the contract and is no longer with the team, so I don't think that Nonis is obligated to keep him around. Maybe a draft pick and a depth player for the Marlies (along with retained salary).

At this point, we need a draft pick and depth players more than Grabovski.

 

[showtime8]

Grabo was on there third line and did worse than Stajan on ours I would rather just give Stajan the 2nd line center spot and sign a tough 3rd line center like Gordon. Grabo makes 5.5 million for 4 more years and at his best he barely did better than Stajan at his best they are very similar players in terms of production except we already have one that is much cheaper on a shorter contract is a better defensive player (imo).

If the Leafs were to retain salary from Grabovski (1.5 mill for the next 3 years) and take Stajan back, would it be close to happening? Obviously more parts have to go back and forth.

 

[TheHudlinator]

If the Leafs were to retain salary from Grabovski (1.5 mill for the next 3 years) and take Stajan back, would it be close to happening? Obviously more parts have to go back and forth.

Simply due to years on the contract and the fact that Stajan is a more successful 3rd liner which is what either will be in a year or two when Monahan/Lindholm are ready, I would rather keep Stajan he has never complained about his role and has been a real good top 6 center when given a chance. I think I would rather keep Stajan.

 

[InfinityIggy]

If the Leafs were to retain salary from Grabovski (1.5 mill for the next 3 years) and take Stajan back, would it be close to happening? Obviously more parts have to go back and forth.

Im not even sure Grabo is better than Stajan at this point. Stajan is at least useful now when he isn't scoring because he has learned to play a strong defensive game.

 

[showtime8]

At this point, we need a draft pick and depth players more than Grabovski.

I'm not talking an early pick. Something like a 5th and a player that has a year left with Abbotsford that won't likely play with the Flames this season.

So ideally what I'm thinking is:

To Calgary:
F Mikhail Grabovski (1.5 million retained over the next 3 years)
D Jesse Blacker (solid mid level prospect who could be a call-up or even be a #5-6 guy to start the year

To Toronto:
F Matt Stajan
2014 5th Round Draft pick
Rights to Krys Kolanos

 

[showtime8]

Im not even sure Grabo is better than Stajan at this point. Stajan is at least useful now when he isn't scoring because he has learned to play a strong defensive game.

Tough to compare, I guess.

Alright. Thanks for the input tho.

 

[InfinityIggy]

I'm not talking an early pick. Something like a 5th and a player that has a year left with Abbotsford that won't likely play with the Flames this season.

So ideally what I'm thinking is:

To Calgary:
F Mikhail Grabovski (1.5 million retained over the next 3 years)
D Jesse Blacker (solid mid level prospect who could be a call-up or even be a #5-6 guy to start the year

To Toronto:
F Matt Stajan
2014 5th Round Draft pick
Rights to Krys Kolanos

If Blacker is in this deal it becomes a lot more palatable, gives the Flames some incentive.

 

[showtime8]

If Blacker is in this deal it becomes a lot more palatable, gives the Flames some incentive.

If it would take a deal to get done, I think the Leafs would include someone like a Joe Colborne (who is a better prospect than Blacker, IMO). A Calgary boy going home.....

 

[TheHudlinator]

If it would take a deal to get done, I think the Leafs would include someone like a Joe Colborne (who is a better prospect than Blacker, IMO). A Calgary boy going home.....

Kolanos is a Ufa btw, if you give us Colborne I don't think salary would have to be retained.

 

[showtime8]

Kolanos is a Ufa btw, if you give us Colborne I don't think salary would have to be retained.

Yea, just the rights to him so that the Leafs could sign him before the start of free agency on July 5th. Just a depth move with a lot of guys speculated to go elsewhere.

Well, I still think the Leafs would have to take some salary maybe in the 3rd and 4th years of Grabo's contract.

 

[TheHudlinator]

Yea, just the rights to him so that the Leafs could sign him before the start of free agency on July 5th. Just a depth move with a lot of guys speculated to go elsewhere.

Well, I still think the Leafs would have to take some salary maybe in the 3rd and 4th years of Grabo's contract.

If you want to keep salary go ahead

But I am saying we will take Grabo to get Colborne.

 

[InfinityIggy]

Yea, just the rights to him so that the Leafs could sign him before the start of free agency on July 5th. Just a depth move with a lot of guys speculated to go elsewhere.

Well, I still think the Leafs would have to take some salary maybe in the 3rd and 4th years of Grabo's contract.

If Colborne is in the deal id even give you Nemisz, who at least could still turn into a 3rd/4th line checking guy with some offense, instead of Kolanos. Then we can just drop the late pick.

 

[Anglesmith]

If you want to keep salary go ahead

But I am saying we will take Grabo to get Colborne.

In a second!

 

[showtime8]

If you want to keep salary go ahead

But I am saying we will take Grabo to get Colborne.

I don't think the Leafs would be begging to take the salary, but in my thinking for Calgary its some insurance in case he doesn't produce.

 

[TheHudlinator]

I don't think the Leafs would be begging to take the salary, but in my thinking for Calgary its some insurance in case he doesn't produce.

The main point of the trade would be TO saves money on only a same downgrade (and a better fit on the 3rd line) in Stajan and Calgary eats some salary (knowing the risk that Grabo may not produce at a 5.5 pace) but gets a good prospect in Colborne. If you guys held onto salary that means for the next 4 years you could only hold onto salary 1 time (2 is the max at anyone time a team can have) it would make more sense to give up a better prospect (who is a bit redundant in TO) and save cap space.

 

[herashak]

I don't think the Leafs would be begging to take the salary, but in my thinking for Calgary its some insurance in case he doesn't produce.

OT but that is the best avatar i have seen on this website

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

Ill pass on Grabo, and I actually don't mind him. Sure we can afford him but he's another smallish skilled guy making a lot of money signed long term. Even if we got Colborne who I've always liked, I'd bet by next season that everyone would want Grabo ran out town similar to Stajan because he'd be our #3C. That's far to much money to pay someone at that role. Hopefully Lindholm/Monahan and Backlund/Jankowski have the top 6 locked down in a couple of seasons. I'd rather go after Richards.

 

[showtime8]

The main point of the trade would be TO saves money on only a same downgrade (and a better fit on the 3rd line) in Stajan and Calgary eats some salary (knowing the risk that Grabo may not produce at a 5.5 pace) but gets a good prospect in Colborne. If you guys held onto salary that means for the next 4 years you could only hold onto salary 1 time (2 is the max at anyone time a team can have) it would make more sense to give up a better prospect (who is a bit redundant in TO) and save cap space.

I didn't know that you could only retain for 2 years. Thanks for that info.

So does that trade work with Colborne attached to it?

 

[showtime8]

Ill pass on Grabo, and I actually don't mind him. Sure we can afford him but he's another smallish skilled guy making a lot of money signed long term. Even if we got Colborne who I've always liked, I'd bet by next season that everyone would want Grabo ran out town similar to Stajan because he'd be our #3C. That's far to much money to pay someone at that role. Hopefully Lindholm/Monahan and Backlund/Jankowski have the top 6 locked down in a couple of seasons. I'd rather go after Richards.

That's a solid point. You never really know how a player will adapt to a system though.

Thanks for the input.

 

[TheHudlinator]

I didn't know that you could only retain for 2 years. Thanks for that info.

So does that trade work with Colborne attached to it?

I didn't mean 2 years, I meant you can only retain salary for 2 players at a time so for the next 4 years you would only be able to retain salary for 1 more player.

Yea I would do the Colborne deal.

 

[showtime8]

OT but that is the best avatar i have seen on this website

Thanks man. Glad to see that another hip hop head can appreciate it! Much love for Big L too!

 

[Lunatik]

Do you think the Flames would have any interest in obtaining Mikhail Grabovski?

only if we are paid to take that horrible contract

 

[showtime8]

So much for my Grabovski proposal now! Damnit. haha

I like the Knight signing.