Best scenario for the Leafs would be to finally get their top line centre, shed Grabo then move Bozak down the depth chart. Having Kadri as our number 2 and Bozak as our number 3 would be great.
- dionschenn

Completely agree with this. I've been saying forever that Bozak is a true #3 Centre and would be great in that role. Kadri is really looking like a #2 type guy, if he can keep developing he may even turn into a #1 someday, but lets not get our hopes up too high. That leaves against with a #1 Centre opening, which I don't see Toronto filling any time soon.

Wait, do people really think Grabovski is going to turn into a legit shut-down Centreman that can play in all situations and against the other teams top line effectively?


Tyler Bozak has a MUCH better chance at turning into this shut-down Centre that you speak of. He's already better defensively than Grabo, better face-off man, and plays much better a long the boards. I don't see either becoming a true shut-down guy though.
- blahman20

how come grabovski has 3rd most faceoffs won in D zone in the entire NHL?

lol

u know there line is vs top line every single game this season BUT 1.

oh man why do i both with logic!

Who else are we going to sign? Corry Perry and Getzlaf?
- Leafland

No big names are going to come to Toronto anyways, but I still wouldn't just give in and say "Well we can't land a top Centre, hell lets give Grabo 5.25mil!" I hated that deal since day one, and still hate it. It's not that dislike Grabo a ton, he's a good player with good offensive skill that can bury the puck. He's a good #3 on most teams, and an ok #2 on other teams, but certainly nowhere near a shut-down guy nor is he a major offensive guy. He sits in the middle, kind of like this team over the past 10 years.

No big names are going to come to Toronto anyways, but I still wouldn't just give in and say "Well we can't land a top Centre, hell lets give Grabo 5.25mil!"
- blahman20

5.5

No big names are going to come to Toronto anyways, but I still wouldn't just give in and say "Well we can't land a top Centre, hell lets give Grabo 5.25mil!" I hated that deal since day one, and still hate it. It's not that dislike Grabo a ton, he's a good player with good offensive skill that can bury the puck. He's a good #3 on most teams, and an ok #2 on other teams, but certainly nowhere near a shut-down guy nor is he a major offensive guy. He sits in the middle, kind of like this team over the past 10 years.
- blahman20

grabovski ranks with the #1 centers on most teams.

this year playing with kulemin and mcclemment for the most part in a shut down role vs #1 lines = not as many points.

the stupidity of leaf fans these days is astounding.

We're so used to mediocrity in Leafland now that we have to settle for re-signing our guys like Grabo and Bozak, and still think that things are going to work out.
- blahman20

We are so used to trying to find talent elsewhere we never stick to drafting and development for any amount of time. Grabo and Bozak were not leaf picks, we over paid Grabo, if he was 3.5 nobody cares. Dont make the same mistake with Bozak, these types of players can be found in your own system after you actually keep them in your system, and they are much cheaper for the same results.

how come grabovski has 3rd most faceoffs won in D zone in the entire NHL?

lol

u know there line is vs top line every single game this season BUT 1.

oh man why do i both with logic!
- big_dion

Because he's probably taking a ton....What's his %? If you truly think Grabovski is going to turn into a shut-down Centreman, then I have some swamp to sell you in Florida.

No big names are going to come to Toronto anyways, but I still wouldn't just give in and say "Well we can't land a top Centre, hell lets give Grabo 5.25mil!" I hated that deal since day one, and still hate it. It's not that dislike Grabo a ton, he's a good player with good offensive skill that can bury the puck. He's a good #3 on most teams, and an ok #2 on other teams, but certainly nowhere near a shut-down guy nor is he a major offensive guy. He sits in the middle, kind of like this team over the past 10 years.
- blahman20

The alternative was letting him walk, and having Connolly or Lombardi as our #2.

I hope this explains it for you.

grabovski ranks with the #1 centers on most teams.

this year playing with kulemin and mcclemment for the most part in a shut down role vs #1 lines = not as many points.

the stupidity of leaf fans these days is astounding.
- big_dion

Grabovski ranks with the #1 Centres on most teams?

We are so used to trying to find talent elsewhere we never stick to drafting and development for any amount of time. Grabo and Bozak were not leaf picks, we over paid Grabo, if he was 3.5 nobody cares. Dont make the same mistake with Bozak, these types of players can be found in your own system after you actually keep them in your system, and they are much cheaper for the same results.
- senstroll

Thats why you keep them on short deals. Bozak for 2 more years at 3.5 to 4? In two more years Grabo would be easily movable.

The alternative was letting him walk, and having Connolly or Lombardi as our #2.

I hope this explains it for you.
- Atomic Wedgie

Who CARES? Toronto was never winning anything this year anyways. So just because they don't have great options waiting in the wings, that means they should over-pay for a mediocre player? Gotcha.

nobody remembers the last 3 years of leaf hockey when grabo was out there every night being the best player on the ice, even if phil did score 2.

and if bozak is so incredible at that role, why is he between kessel and jvr?

its because they spread the talent out, grabo likes to cary the puck in, so does kessel...they cant both do it.

i could go on , but that would mean people would actually grasp a concept, and i dont care to waste my time.

off for lunch, go leafs, and you haters can all suck a fat labia lip.

grabovski ranks with the #1 centers on most teams.

this year playing with kulemin and mcclemment for the most part in a shut down role vs #1 lines = not as many points.

the stupidity of leaf fans these days is astounding.
- big_dion

Yeah, you've gone too far there.

Gardiner, Grabovski and Percy for Matt Duchene. Comments?
- imsorry66

COL isnt trading away Duchene .... now Stastny .....

grabovski ranks with the #1 centers on most teams.

this year playing with kulemin and mcclemment for the most part in a shut down role vs #1 lines = not as many points.

the stupidity of leaf fans these days is astounding.
- big_dion

Good example...

how come grabovski has 3rd most faceoffs won in D zone in the entire NHL?

lol

u know there line is vs top line every single game this season BUT 1.

oh man why do i both with logic!
- big_dion

I saw the same tweet by Mirtle... He has the same a Kulemin does... But he also has many more FO loses compared to the others ahead of him

Thats why you keep them on short deals. Bozak for 2 more years at 3.5 to 4? In two more years Grabo would be easily movable.
- Leafland

Oh, Lord.

Really?

Unless we are talking Pesos, I'm not on board.

nobody remembers the last 3 years of leaf hockey when grabo was out there every night being the best player on the ice, even if phil did score 2.

and if bozak is so incredible at that role, why is he between kessel and jvr?

its because they spread the talent out, grabo likes to cary the puck in, so does kessel...they cant both do it.

i could go on , but that would mean people would actually grasp a concept, and i dont care to waste my time.

off for lunch, go leafs, and you haters can all suck a fat labia lip.
- big_dion

Lupul >> Grabovski last year. Do you even watch the games?

I saw the same tweet by Mirtle... He has the same a Kulemin does... But he also has many more FO loses compared to the others ahead of him
- senstroll

Exactly, what's his %?

Because he's probably taking a ton....What's his %? If you truly think Grabovski is going to turn into a shut-down Centreman, then I have some swamp to sell you in Florida.
- blahman20

clueless.com

Good example...
- Fruitcakenipple

Oh, Lord.

Really?

Unless we are talking Pesos, I'm not on board.
- Atomic Wedgie

Yet you're alright with Grabo @ 5.25? Come on. I'd take Bozak at 3.5 over Grabo at 5.25 any day of the week.

Who CARES? Toronto was never winning anything this year anyways. So just because they don't have great options waiting in the wings, that means they should over-pay for a mediocre player? Gotcha.
- blahman20

Because for the past six years, Toronto has been a joke.

This team needs to become respectable - it's the first step in the rebuilding program.

Baby steps. Retaining Grabbo was one of those baby steps.

I'm not happy about it either. But it had to be done.

Good example...
- Fruitcakenipple

not this year, look at the passed 3 years. stats for #1 C. please do.

Grabovski ranks with the #1 Centres on most teams?
- blahman20

the last 3 years he surely has. take a look at the numbers.