BB said he made Grab's and Liles mid-season offers. Liles lead to a contract ...Grabo's didn't. I think you're right ...he may get 5ish on the open market and BB was probably looking for an early-signing, hometown discount.
- The Law

Grabs has turned things up at the right time. Never underestimate another GMs ability to throw stupid money around.

Especially if there aren't a lot of centres available.

His value will never be higher to us, and Colborne should be ready to join the big boys next year.

Colborne
Connolly
Bozak
Steckel
Lombardi

These are our centres for next year minus Grabs, and that's assuming BB doesn't make a move for a veteran centre he actually wants

With that glut of centres, it's hard to rationalize making a spot for a guy who will want insane money.

Went from whining trouble child in a mafia war with some drunk Belorussians to a very good two-way 2nd line centerman wearing an 'A' on his chest.
- AdamFrench

A player capable of shutting down Tavares one night, and dropping 4 on him the next. Not too shabby for a whining trouble child in a Belorussian mafia war.

Lets hope so...he's married with kids and settled as well so he may not want to pack up and go elsewhere
- JIMI-JAMES

if we keep him, even if he were to sign for 2M a year for 5 years...where do we fit:

- Connolly
- Colborne
- Grabovski

next year...because they are all 2nd line centers and theres a chance Burke is bringing in a legit 1st liner.

So what is the scoop ,is it Nash or Carter ??Read somewhere that BB wants nash over carter
- top shelf 15

of course. who wouldn't?

Grabs has turned things up at the right time. Never underestimate another GMs ability to throw stupid money around.

Especially if there aren't a lot of centres available.

His value will never be higher to us, and Colborne should be ready to join the big boys next year.

Colborne
Connolly
Bozak
Steckel
Lombardi

These are our centres for next year minus Grabs, and that's assuming BB doesn't make a move for a veteran centre he actually wants

With that glut of centres, it's hard to rationalize making a spot for a guy who will want insane money.
- AngryWhiteMale

Exactly...we still have Connolly for another year while Colborne gets ready to take over and we can only think Burke is intending to bring in a top line guy soon...so unfortunately as great as Grabo has been and as low as he may be willing to sign, we cant really fit him in the plan unless we somehow trade Connolly and or Colborne.

Getting him away from the Kotstitsyns gotta be worth something! Also, what about all the money they'll save re-signing Kulemin after a 10 goal campaign instead of a 30?
- 1979AD

I'm actually really happy that Kuli won't be able to demand good moeny, as he's still done an admirable job along the boards and in his own zone, so we can lock him up for cheap.

I firmly believe it's just an off year for him and he'll figure it out sooner or later.

If we can lock him up for 3.5 per I'd be very pleased as he will start banking pucks again

Grabs has turned things up at the right time. Never underestimate another GMs ability to throw stupid money around.

Especially if there aren't a lot of centres available.

His value will never be higher to us, and Colborne should be ready to join the big boys next year.

Colborne
Connolly
Bozak
Steckel
Lombardi

These are our centres for next year minus Grabs, and that's assuming BB doesn't make a move for a veteran centre he actually wants

With that glut of centres, it's hard to rationalize making a spot for a guy who will want insane money.
- AngryWhiteMale

It's an interesting situation for sure. I'm not even going to pretend to try and figure out what BB will do.

Although for the record, I would like Grabo to stay...as long as he isn't looking for 5 mil a year. At that price, I won't be sad to see him sign somewhere else. But if he signs somewhere in the off season for 4 or less (even 4 is a bit high) I'll be pissed

Exactly...we still have Connolly for another year while Colborne gets ready to take over and we can only think Burke is intending to bring in a top line guy soon...so unfortunately as great as Grabo has been and as low as he may be willing to sign, we cant really fit him in the plan unless we somehow trade Connolly and or Colborne.
- noename09

I'm actually really happy that Kuli won't be able to demand good moeny, as he's still done an admirable job along the boards and in his own zone, so we can lock him up for cheap.

I firmly believe it's just an off year for him and he'll figure it out sooner or later.

If we can lock him up for 3.5 per I'd be very pleased as he will start banking pucks again
- AngryWhiteMale

I like you....

Exactly...we still have Connolly for another year while Colborne gets ready to take over and we can only think Burke is intending to bring in a top line guy soon...so unfortunately as great as Grabo has been and as low as he may be willing to sign, we cant really fit him in the plan unless we somehow trade Connolly and or Colborne.
- noename09

And since Grabs will hypothetically fetch more than Tim, it makes sense moving Grabs.

Plus, I don't think Tim's been half bad. He's cooled off, but he's been healthy, and after next year he'll walk and be an afterthought, clearing up cap space and another roster spot for whatever BB pulls out of a hat.

If a bunny rabbits comes out of the hat then we won't have to offer up big money, just some veggies, plus we could use the speed in case Lombardi gets his bell rung again

if we keep him, even if he were to sign for 2M a year for 5 years...where do we fit:

- Connolly
- Colborne
- Grabovski

next year...because they are all 2nd line centers and theres a chance Burke is bringing in a legit 1st liner.
- noename09

I'd say if we re-sign Grabo, Colborne likely stays in the minors and we're where we are now. Then if he trades for a #1 C then one of Connolly or Bozak...maybe even Colborne, are going to go the other way, which leaves us where we are now basically having the #1 C, Grabo #2, and 1 of Connolly/Bozak/Colborne at #3

It's an interesting situation for sure. I'm not even going to pretend to try and figure out what BB will do.

Although for the record, I would like Grabo to stay...as long as he isn't looking for 5 mil a year. At that price, I won't be sad to see him sign somewhere else. But if he signs somewhere in the off season for 4 or less (even 4 is a bit high) I'll be pissed
- Domaju

but dude...even if he agrees to sign for 3M....where does he fit!? Right now, we have two current NHL 2nd line centermen, and one about a year away.

of course. who wouldn't?
- clarkysduster

Even if contract wasn't an issue, and a centre wasn't something we'd need more than a winger, that would still be an easy decision to make

Grabs has turned things up at the right time. Never underestimate another GMs ability to throw stupid money around.

Especially if there aren't a lot of centres available.

His value will never be higher to us, and Colborne should be ready to join the big boys next year.

Colborne
Connolly
Bozak
Steckel
Lombardi

These are our centres for next year minus Grabs, and that's assuming BB doesn't make a move for a veteran centre he actually wants

With that glut of centres, it's hard to rationalize making a spot for a guy who will want insane money.
- AngryWhiteMale

Roster depth is an issue for sure but he's gotta be trying to slot the right guys in too. Colborne's been a$$ since November in the AHL so that has to be a concern. Lombardi and Connolly and their 1 year deals have some flexibility.

If he gets the big centre then the decision on Grabo is easy. If not though then he's positioning them to worse next year if they let Grabo walk in the summer.

I'm actually really happy that Kuli won't be able to demand good moeny, as he's still done an admirable job along the boards and in his own zone, so we can lock him up for cheap.

I firmly believe it's just an off year for him and he'll figure it out sooner or later.

If we can lock him up for 3.5 per I'd be very pleased as he will start banking pucks again
- AngryWhiteMale

You think he'll get a raise after a big drop in production?

I think 3.5 is a raise anyway lol

I think he'll get signed for almost exactly what he's making now. Maybe a SLIGHT raise because he is very good in the little things.

Not a chance in hell.

What, with the moeny being thrown around last summer?

RJ Umberger get 4.5 per. Grabs already makes 2.9. And that was after his first year in TOR with something like 45 pts.

He'll be looking for something north of Mike Ribeiro's contract. In the 5-5.5 range.

Not sure what the UFA pool looks like but I can't see there being a glut of half-decent centres available.

Grabs will attract some sexy offers
- AngryWhiteMale

either he trades him or he doesnt hit FA...Burke wont let him walk. If he got Liles for 3.8 (pay cut)...getting Grabo to sign for 4 I can see

Exactly...we still have Connolly for another year while Colborne gets ready to take over and we can only think Burke is intending to bring in a top line guy soon...so unfortunately as great as Grabo has been and as low as he may be willing to sign, we cant really fit him in the plan unless we somehow trade Connolly and or Colborne.
- noename09

Yes ...assuming you get that top line centre.

It's an interesting situation for sure. I'm not even going to pretend to try and figure out what BB will do.

Although for the record, I would like Grabo to stay...as long as he isn't looking for 5 mil a year. At that price, I won't be sad to see him sign somewhere else. But if he signs somewhere in the off season for 4 or less (even 4 is a bit high) I'll be pissed
- Domaju

If Connolly can get 4.75 per for the way he played last year then surely Grabs can clear 5 mil on the open market

but dude...even if he agrees to sign for 3M....where does he fit!? Right now, we have two current NHL 2nd line centermen, and one about a year away.
- noename09

If we re-sign Grabo, Colborne likely stays in the minors and we're where we are now. Then if he trades for a #1 C then one of Connolly or Bozak...maybe even Colborne, are going to go the other way, which leaves us where we are now basically having the #1 C, Grabo #2, and 1 of Connolly/Bozak/Colborne at #3

I'd say if we re-sign Grabo, Colborne likely stays in the minors and we're where we are now. Then if he trades for a #1 C then one of Connolly or Bozak...maybe even Colborne, are going to go the other way, which leaves us where we are now basically having the #1 C, Grabo #2, and 1 of Connolly/Bozak/Colborne at #3
- Domaju

Ok, I can see your logic however it still dosnt really work out well. For one, Connolly likely wouldnt be part of a deal, not too many teams want an injury prone guy at a higher price...too risky...and secondly, if we do sign Grabo he will want atleast 3 years meaning Colborne wont really have a place because Bozak fits nicely on the 3rd, we should grab a 1st line guy and Colborne isnt a 4th line player...so...unless we trade Colborne and resign Grabo, he doesnt fit...and does it make sense to trade a guy like Colborne in order to sign Grabo? No...not really.

If Connolly can get 4.75 per for the way he played last year then surely Grabs can clear 5 mil on the open market
- AngryWhiteMale

You think he'll get a raise after a big drop in production?

I think 3.5 is a raise anyway lol

I think he'll get signed for almost exactly what he's making now. Maybe a SLIGHT raise because he is very good in the little things.
- Domaju

Unless he wants to join Malkin in PIT. The look out

It's an interesting situation for sure. I'm not even going to pretend to try and figure out what BB will do.

Although for the record, I would like Grabo to stay...as long as he isn't looking for 5 mil a year. At that price, I won't be sad to see him sign somewhere else. But if he signs somewhere in the off season for 4 or less (even 4 is a bit high) I'll be pissed
- Domaju

If we could somehow do it. My ideal situation for next year:

Flip Connolly, Komi, Lombo, Mac for picks
Trade Mac + picks from before for Ruutu
Trade Schenn for Some assets at deadline (Pieces for a package later)
Fire Wilson
Resign Kuli, Grabo, Gusty

Lupul-Colborne-Kessel
Kuli-Grabs-Kadri
Ruutu-Bozak-Frattin
Brown-Boyce-Army

Phaneuf-Gunnar
Franson-Liles
Aulie-Gardiner

Gustavsson
Reimer

Develop the picks/prospects and if Colborne truly can't fill that 1st line centre position, start looking hard into a long-term solution

either he trades him or he doesnt hit FA...Burke wont let him walk. If he got Liles for 3.8 (pay cut)...getting Grabo to sign for 4 I can see
- senstroll

4 is at the high end of my want. I'll be able to live with signing Grabo for 4, any more and I don't want him.

If Connolly can get 4.75 per for the way he played last year then surely Grabs can clear 5 mil on the open market
- AngryWhiteMale

On the open market yes.

That's why Burke has to convince him that the open market isn't a good choice lmao