Kevin Freiheit: Center of attention

Considering your depth at center and his general versatility I can't think of a better fit for you guys. He can be a second or third line center and play an offensive or defensive role. What more can you hope for? Especially with this year's UFA group...

Hell, for the right price I would sign anyone.

He always seemed to play well against us and I would assume he might be motivated to show the Toronto brass that they messed up.....

I'd take him. If he lives in the Toronto area he might even not hate coming here.

Signing both Grabo and MacArthur is not stupid at all. They both had their best season playing together. Toronto had to move Grabo but in any case, he is a damn good player. He had an off season with Gastro issues. The guy has the heart of a lion and wicked hands. Not to mention speed!!

I will always remember this goal... after he got smashed by Chara he comes back to do this...
http://youtu.be/DZpOEH5KByg

grabo the player wasn't the problem; the contract was. He'd be a great fit anywhere. I always saw him on Detroit with all that skill in the lineup i think he'd be deadly. But Buffalo would be wise to pick up grabo for sure.

Clarke Mac produces, he's just a little soft. Both are still young enough to help the sabres out

Here's a few interesting bits why the Wings just might pic him up.


The Leafs second-line pivot landed in Russia for much of the recent NHL lockout, playing alongside one of his active idols, Pavel Datsyuk, for the Red Army squad in Moscow. Sharing the same agent, Gary Greenstin, the two have formed a friendship over time; Grabovski even spent a month living with Datsyuk in Detroit years back, his first attempt to pepper the brain of the Red Wings star.

"Right now it's better because that [at] time I'm a little bit young," he noted slyly of those early days alongside Datsyuk.

Suiting up in 29 games with CSKA Moscow - most recently on a line with Datsyuk and Alexander Radulov, the former Predators winger - Grabovski scored 12 times and added 12 assists. He did so while soaking up as much wisdom as he could from his mentor, the two-time Cup champion. "I don't want to give you secrets," Grabovski grinned, "but what he said is you need to work hard every day. I'm looking at him, how he worked; he worked two times before practice, after practice. If you want to be better, you need to work hard." Datsyuk also stressed that "if you want to win something, be closer to your teammates", a lesson that seemed to evade the younger disciple as a Montreal Canadien, but has engrained itself with age in Toronto.

Grabovski has long modeled his game and work ethic after the three-time Selke Trophy winner - often watching game-tape for pointers - committing his efforts toward becoming a stronger two-way force.

hmmm... looks like you had your a$$ handed to you in the twitter debate... had to make your reply with your tail between your legs there?

hmmm... looks like you had your a$$ handed to you in the twitter debate... had to make your reply with your tail between your legs there?
- mlindsay

Peters got his panties in a bunch inferring Kevin's post as sarcasm.

I'm not adverse at all to signing Grabovski, but how much is it going to cost and for how long?

I dont think many leaf fans think he hurt the team... he just didnt fit in the role that was left for him... he has to be a top 6 cant really play the checking role

grabo the player wasn't the problem; the contract was. He'd be a great fit anywhere. I always saw him on Detroit with all that skill in the lineup i think he'd be deadly. But Buffalo would be wise to pick up grabo for sure.

Clarke Mac produces, he's just a little soft. Both are still young enough to help the sabres out
- clark_griswold

Yes...well that and he had a poopy stomach too.

I'm not adverse at all to signing Grabovski, but how much is it going to cost and for how long?
- kingcong39

Do it...want to watch him every now and then, but he better not bite Orr.

who is this blogger, blogging every day? and what did you do with Kevin?

Those playoff stats for grabo arent fair to his play. he worked his ass off.

Here's a few interesting bits why the Wings just might pic him up.


The Leafs second-line pivot landed in Russia for much of the recent NHL lockout, playing alongside one of his active idols, Pavel Datsyuk, for the Red Army squad in Moscow. Sharing the same agent, Gary Greenstin, the two have formed a friendship over time; Grabovski even spent a month living with Datsyuk in Detroit years back, his first attempt to pepper the brain of the Red Wings star.

"Right now it's better because that
- Muskoka88[at] time I'm a little bit young," he noted slyly of those early days alongside Datsyuk.

Suiting up in 29 games with CSKA Moscow - most recently on a line with Datsyuk and Alexander Radulov, the former Predators winger - Grabovski scored 12 times and added 12 assists. He did so while soaking up as much wisdom as he could from his mentor, the two-time Cup champion. "I don't want to give you secrets," Grabovski grinned, "but what he said is you need to work hard every day. I'm looking at him, how he worked; he worked two times before practice, after practice. If you want to be better, you need to work hard." Datsyuk also stressed that "if you want to win something, be closer to your teammates", a lesson that seemed to evade the younger disciple as a Montreal Canadien, but has engrained itself with age in Toronto.

Grabovski has long modeled his game and work ethic after the three-time Selke Trophy winner - often watching game-tape for pointers - committing his efforts toward becoming a stronger two-way force.

Well, I'm convinced! I wish Grabo all the best with the Red Wings. Damn that means we'll be seeing quite a bit this season.
I love that Toronto has to face Detroit a little more. Re-Kindle that old rivalry.

Those playoff stats for grabo arent fair to his play. he worked his ass off.
- Lee Denault

Agreed! Grabo has the heart of a lion! I'll miss him that's for sure.

I didn't want Grabovski until I heard his recent comments, he says Carlyle is a stupid coach. It would be worth it just to watch him play Toronto.

I didn't want Grabovski until I heard his recent comments, he says Carlyle is a stupid coach. It would be worth it just to watch him play Toronto.
- DGrant

If you see how he plays against Montreal you would be happy to get him. Damn Buffalo, MTL and Toronto are in the same division too...

What about the Penguins going after Grabovski?



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I guess I would take Grabovski if nothing for a new face. But I do not want any part of MacArthur.

Their seems to be a lot of "Leafs Fans" here who don't know what they're talking about.

Am I sad as a Leafs fan to see Grabovski go? Yes. But, I also realize him leaving is going to help the Leafs moving forward. You can't pay a guy 5.5 million dollars to play the 3rd-4th line. Bolland is one of the top 3rd line centers in the league and his contract is more in line of what a 3rd line center should make.

The 2nd line center position belongs to Kadri and Kadri alone. Toronto needs to continue his development and playing him on the 2nd line will help him with that development. His chemistry with Lupul needs to be taken advantage of and can only be taken advantage of on the 2nd line.

The first line center spot is either Flowzak's or an outside addition. Grabovski can't play with Kessel as they both want the puck on their stick where as Bozak moves it quickly to Kessel or JVR.

The Leafs can't afford to lose Kadri, Franson or Bernier because of Grabovski's contract.