Based on all this craziness with the cap and players being available, that 1st round pick we would of got from Nashville for Grabovksi last year would of looked pretty nice right now.

Only because Burke decided to give him a 5 year, 27.5m contract extension. At the time, it probably would of been "Ah f-uck, I liked Grabo, where we going to get another centre like him now!?"

hope not
I am fine with the money but with the way the league is with salary caps and constant lockouts not to mention potential for injuries. I wouldn't want to sign anyone for more than 5 years. Excluding top guys like Crosby Towes Tavares etc
- Sammich

thing is.. if the leafs dont offer it up, someone else will

It is not his size, it is the lack of speed with which he moving forward that makes him look slow. And at 18, he should be quicker for sure..
- bixll

It's hard to say, large guys with long legs don't need to be moving them a mile a minute to get good speed. A good chunk of that video was Can Vs US. I don't know for sure, but my guess is that the US team was built on speed and he was beating a bunch of guys to loose pucks. I am also not a skating coach but I think work on the explosiveness of his first few strides would be what needed the most.

Let's just get on with it already ....

It's hard to say, large guys with long legs don't need to be moving them a mile a minute to get good speed. A good chunk of that video was Can Vs US. I don't know for sure, but my guess is that the US team was built on speed and he was beating a bunch of guys to loose pucks. I am also not a skating coach but I think work on the explosiveness of his first few strides would be what needed the most.
- vermie22

The US game was his best one by far. That and the semi-finals.

That highlight video is pretty good. Kind of put me at ease a little bit to be honest. I found his speed to be fine, defensively was very strong both in his own end and creating turnovers in the neutral or offensive zone. Some good PK as well.

He seemed to get better offensively as the highlights went on but there were a lot of kind of block hands type offensive plays. I guess not every shot NHLers take are on the money either but some of his offensive plays left a bit to be desired. Hopefully he can work on that and improve because defensively his stickwork seemed pretty good to me.

Was hoping he'd be a bit more physical, throwing his weight around. He used it fine to battle in corners and seperate guys from the puck which is great but a guy that big with reasonable speed should be able to plaster the odd guy. Maybe since it was a euro tournament and you basically get a penalty for hitting hard he couldn't but I'd like to see what he's capable on that end.

thing is.. if the leafs dont offer it up, someone else will
- Dozzer

for sure
those same GM's who offer those type of contracts will be the first ones in line to lock the players out again in a few years, its a vicious cycle. Hopefully the leafs can try to lock him up soon so he doesn't get much of a chance to see what others might be offering.

He wasn't consistent at all. He had something like 6 points in the final 35 games of the year.
- AdamFrench

I didn't mean that he scored consistently, rather that he was in the line-up despite what must have been low energy and the injury.

The US game was his best one by far. That and the semi-finals.
- AdamFrench

What stood out the most for me in those highlights, is he seems to have an above average ability to read and anticipate the play in all areas of the ice. Seemed to have a great compete level, and did not quite on any plays. Naturally, the highlights don't show any real negative parts to his game, so as with all prospects, we will have to wait and see.

How great is bolland?
Lucky leafies.

How great is bolland?
Lucky leafies.
- Oilhab

$3,375,000 cap hit great.

How great is bolland?
Lucky leafies.
- Oilhab

About as great as a 3rd liner can be I suppose

About as great as a 3rd liner can be I suppose
- daeth

So Bozak is still the number 1?

Compliance buyouts have to come before free agency, up until July 4th.

Good Morning.
- LeafMan

damn.... didn't realize that.

okay Nonis... stop s_itting on the pot and get those buyouts done.

So Bozak is still the number 1?
- Oilhab

Hopefully not. Probably wont give him the money he wants.

damn.... didn't realize that.

okay Nonis... stop s_itting on the pot and get those buyouts done.
- BorjeFan4Ever

Maybe he is saving it for next year

I hope I don't see Kadri on the first line...and Nonis better not pay Clarkson more than 4 million.
- Fakepartofme

I hope Kadri is not on the first line either (Vinny please)...but I would prefer Kadri on the 1st line over Bozak.

Now we are at:

Lupul-Kadri-Kessel
JVR-Grabo-?
Kulimen-Bolland-?
Orr-McClement-?

Id love to land Vinny and move Grabo to the wing.

JVR-Lecavalier-Kessel
Lupul-Kadri-Grabo
Kulimen-Bolland-?
Orr-McClement-?

Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli issued his most emphatic critique of Tyler Seguin since the forward entered the NHL.

“He’s got to commit his mind and focus to the one task at hand,” Chiarelli said. “He’s got to become more of a professional. You know what? I can say that about a lot of 21-year-olds. I know he got criticized for playing on the periphery and all that stuff. He did. He’s got to commit to being a professional and focusing on the game. Simple as that. He does that, we don’t expect him to be crashing and banging. Just play your game.”

Inquiries on Seguin withered after Nathan Horton declared his intention to test free agency. If he were to trade Seguin, Chiarelli said he would demand an elite young player or prospect in return. Even if Seguin is not traded, Chiarelli hopes the chatter will straighten out the forward.

“I hope it does,” Chiarelli said. “If it doesn’t, I’d be more concerned. We gave Tyler a big contract because he projects and he had good performance. I would expect that going forward.”

Starting next season, Seguin will earn $5.75 million annually for the next six years.

http://www.boston.com/spo...o_become_more_of_a_p.html

Maybe he is saving it for next year
- Oilhab

giving Grabo one more year to get it together

Nice video.. obviously he's gonna look good in a highlight reel, but looks like his defensive awareness is right up there.

Looks like he could use a little work in the finishing department. But nice potential forsure. Also looking at the numbers it appears he shows up when it counts
- dragus84

I've watched a very large amount of youth hockey in the past few years... and I think what we are all looking at is a kid in an emerging man's body... he probably isn't very muscular at this point... and he's probably just gone through a pretty rapid and large amount of growth.

What struck me watching the video is his puck pursuit and his puck control and protection, both of which I thought looked good. His lateral movement on the PK showed some agility - particularly for a big guy. The finishing will come with confidence - and the confidence will grow when he realizes the other kids can't push him around or off the puck easily.

So Bozak is still the number 1?
- Oilhab

We are three days away from the curtains closing on the Bozak era.

We are three days away from the curtains closing on the Bozak era.
- Atomic Wedgie

personally i thought that ended with the bolland signing, but time will tell~!

so there's a subban in Montreal, a subban in boston and now a subban in Vancouver........three of my least favourite teams.

Get Michael Stone out of Phoenix Nonis!