Game 39: Rangers @ Leafs - Apr. 8, 7:00pm - Sportsnet, Fan 590

[Omallley]

If I'm Nonis, I'm buying out Grabovski this summer.

A month ago I'd of told you this was crazy, but if Carlyle just isn't going to play him he has to go one way or another. Benched for the final 12 minutes of the game.

This is the thing that I am finding frustrating...he certainly doesn't seem to be put into a position to succeed.

But that's the point. The Leafs aren't using him, so there's no point in keeping him around.

I more or less agree there...he's an expensive 3rd line cetreman...but realistically, if you buy him out, you're going after a weak UFA market centre (which likely means overpaying) or putting a good deal of faith in Colbourne being good to go next year...

Granted there's the trade market, but I won't hold my breath...

 

[PG]

we're actually going to make the playoffs...aren't we?

Yep. It's as good as done.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I more or less agree there...he's an expensive 3rd line cetreman...but realistically, if you buy him out, you're going after a weak UFA market centre (which likely means overpaying) or putting a good deal of faith in Colbourne being good to go next year...

Granted there's the trade market, but I won't hold my breath...

McClement?

 

[TML fan]

If I'm Nonis, I'm buying out Grabovski this summer.

A month ago I'd of told you this was crazy, but if Carlyle just isn't going to play him he has to go one way or another. Benched for the final 12 minutes of the game.

This is the thing that I am finding frustrating...he certainly doesn't seem to be put into a position to succeed.

But that's the point. The Leafs aren't using him, so there's no point in keeping him around.

I more or less agree there...he's an expensive 3rd line cetreman...but realistically, if you buy him out, you're going after a weak UFA market centre (which likely means overpaying) or putting a good deal of faith in Colbourne being good to go next year...

Granted there's the trade market, but I won't hold my breath...

You can use the cap space to re-sign Bozak or go after Clarkson. Worst case scenario, you use McClement at centre. He seems capable enough to me if you're using that line as a pure checking line.

 

[gunnar36]

If I'm Nonis, I'm buying out Grabovski this summer.

A month ago I'd of told you this was crazy, but if Carlyle just isn't going to play him he has to go one way or another. Benched for the final 12 minutes of the game.

I'd try to trade him. He's still a good player, but with that contract and this year's performance, I don't see any takers.

There are many teams that would take this contract to get a centreman with explosive speed who plays fearless.

That being said, there is no way I would give up on him. He is going to be an important part of this teams hope of having any post season success.

 

[L K]

If I'm Nonis, I'm buying out Grabovski this summer.

A month ago I'd of told you this was crazy, but if Carlyle just isn't going to play him he has to go one way or another. Benched for the final 12 minutes of the game.

This is the thing that I am finding frustrating...he certainly doesn't seem to be put into a position to succeed.

But that's the point. The Leafs aren't using him, so there's no point in keeping him around.

I more or less agree there...he's an expensive 3rd line cetreman...but realistically, if you buy him out, you're going after a weak UFA market centre (which likely means overpaying) or putting a good deal of faith in Colbourne being good to go next year...

Granted there's the trade market, but I won't hold my breath...

You're also pretty much forcing your hand into retaining Bozak.  I'm not sure how a team can lose two of their top 3 centremen in the offseason with the poor quality of free agency.  About the only way I think you can do something like that is if Stephen Weiss comes dirty cheap (relatively) because of his injury this year.  You might get a better bang for your buck with him signing for 4M or something like that, but I'm not sure how he is going to get less than 5-5.5 given that the UFA C free agent market basically will consist of:

Bozak, Derek Roy, Mike Ribeiro, Stephen Weiss and a bunch of guys who are 36+ and either have long-standing ties to their current organization or just aren't very good anymore.

 

[Omallley]

I more or less agree there...he's an expensive 3rd line cetreman...but realistically, if you buy him out, you're going after a weak UFA market centre (which likely means overpaying) or putting a good deal of faith in Colbourne being good to go next year...

Granted there's the trade market, but I won't hold my breath...

McClement?

I always think of him on the 4th, and forget that a 4th liner under Carlyle means 4 minutes a night.

Maybe it is fine - roll with Bozak/Kadri/McClement/Colbourne (if ready)/4th line goon UFA next season...

Edit: but you are absolutely forced to re-sign Bozak in that case...

 

[gunnar36]

I more or less agree there...he's an expensive 3rd line cetreman...but realistically, if you buy him out, you're going after a weak UFA market centre (which likely means overpaying) or putting a good deal of faith in Colbourne being good to go next year...

Granted there's the trade market, but I won't hold my breath...

McClement?

I always think of him on the 4th, and forget that a 4th liner under Carlyle means 4 minutes a night.

Maybe it is fine - roll with Bozak/Kadri/McClement/Colbourne (if ready)/4th line goon UFA next season...

Edit: but you are absolutely forced to re-sign Bozak in that case...

Getting rid of Grabbo and signing Bozak to Grabbo $$, would be a step in the wrong direction for this organization

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Edit: but you are absolutely forced to re-sign Bozak in that case...

I really don't see the Leafs letting Bozak go and then chasing one of the other UFA centremen. Like LK showed above, it's slim pickings out there. And I think it's pretty much a guarantee that Bozak would re-sign here before July 1st as long as he was offered a fair, market value contract. Of course that would mean overpaying, but it's either you overpay for Bozak or you offer a similar contract to the other available options on July 1st but run the risk of coming up empty handed.

 

[freer]

Edit: but you are absolutely forced to re-sign Bozak in that case...

I really don't see the Leafs letting Bozak go and then chasing one of the other UFA centremen. Like LK showed above, it's slim pickings out there. And I think it's pretty much a guarantee that Bozak would re-sign here before July 1st as long as he was offered a fair, market value contract. Of course that would mean overpaying, but it's either you overpay for Bozak or you offer a similar contract to the other available options on July 1st but run the risk of coming up empty handed.

I really dont get everyone here. Bozak, is earning next to nothing. he defensively sound. He win approx 60 percent of his faceoffs, and he is capable to chip in 20 goals a year. You want someone like Richards, at 6-7 millions dollars a year. IMO You can keep him.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Edit: but you are absolutely forced to re-sign Bozak in that case...

I really don't see the Leafs letting Bozak go and then chasing one of the other UFA centremen. Like LK showed above, it's slim pickings out there. And I think it's pretty much a guarantee that Bozak would re-sign here before July 1st as long as he was offered a fair, market value contract. Of course that would mean overpaying, but it's either you overpay for Bozak or you offer a similar contract to the other available options on July 1st but run the risk of coming up empty handed.

I really dont get everyone here. Bozak, is earning next to nothing. he defensively sound. He win approx 60 percent of his faceoffs, and he is capable to chip in 20 goals a year. You want someone like Richards, at 6-7 millions dollars a year. IMO You can keep him.

I think the problem people have is next season when his caphit/salary will likely triple.

 

[Kin]

I really dont get everyone here. Bozak, is earning next to nothing. he defensively sound. He win approx 60 percent of his faceoffs, and he is capable to chip in 20 goals a year. You want someone like Richards, at 6-7 millions dollars a year. IMO You can keep him.

Yeah, no, absolutely.

You know, except for the fact that he's never scored 20 goals, is nowhere near 60 percent on face-offs and will be looking to make a lot of money next year that's bang-on.

 

[freer]

Edit: but you are absolutely forced to re-sign Bozak in that case...

I see him signing for 3m year for two years. after they buy Gabs and Komi out there will be plenty of money for replacement UFA's or new Marlies ready to come up

I really don't see the Leafs letting Bozak go and then chasing one of the other UFA centremen. Like LK showed above, it's slim pickings out there. And I think it's pretty much a guarantee that Bozak would re-sign here before July 1st as long as he was offered a fair, market value contract. Of course that would mean overpaying, but it's either you overpay for Bozak or you offer a similar contract to the other available options on July 1st but run the risk of coming up empty handed.

I really dont get everyone here. Bozak, is earning next to nothing. he defensively sound. He win approx 60 percent of his faceoffs, and he is capable to chip in 20 goals a year. You want someone like Richards, at 6-7 millions dollars a year. IMO You can keep him.

I think the problem people have is next season when his caphit/salary will likely triple.

 

[princedpw]

Grabbo has been an excellent player for most of the last three years and we've won a lot of games this year even with him playing against top competition so Kadri could dominate opposing third liners.  We can't give up on a guy because of a 30-game slump in a weird lockout-shortened season, especially with such a weak UFA market ... Since the coaching staff never seems to want to try it, we can only wonder how many points Grabbo would have if he were playing in Bozak's spot.

 

[ZBBM]

Nash is a decent player

Hey Arn, meant to ask earlier -- how'd you get hurt?  And cheers for a quick recovery.

Cheers buddy.

I took a dive to try and catch a ball at cricket practice and landed on my elbow with all my body weight so the shoulder popped. Must be a sign I'm getting old cos I've been doing it for years and never done this! ;D

Great win tonight has cheered me up at least!

I hear you there ....  Best of luck, and take 'er easy for awhile.

 

[princedpw]

I really dont get everyone here. Bozak, is earning next to nothing. he defensively sound. He win approx 60 percent of his faceoffs, and he is capable to chip in 20 goals a year. You want someone like Richards, at 6-7 millions dollars a year. IMO You can keep him.

Yeah, no, absolutely.

You know, except for the fact that he's never scored 20 goals, is nowhere near 60 percent on face-offs and will be looking to make a lot of money next year that's bang-on.

+1

 

[ZBBM]

If I'm Nonis, I'm buying out Grabovski this summer.

A month ago I'd of told you this was crazy, but if Carlyle just isn't going to play him he has to go one way or another. Benched for the final 12 minutes of the game.

I'd try to trade him. He's still a good player, but with that contract and this year's performance, I don't see any takers.

There are many teams that would take this contract to get a centreman with explosive speed who plays fearless.

That being said, there is no way I would give up on him. He is going to be an important part of this teams hope of having any post season success.

This is sanity speaking.

 

[princedpw]

On another note, I'd very much like Fraser to get a break so we can sub in Gardiner to player with Franson.  That might make an interesting pair.

 

[freer]

I really dont get everyone here. Bozak, is earning next to nothing. he defensively sound. He win approx 60 percent of his faceoffs, and he is capable to chip in 20 goals a year. You want someone like Richards, at 6-7 millions dollars a year. IMO You can keep him.

Yeah, no, absolutely.

You know, except for the fact that he's never scored 20 goals, is nowhere near 60 percent on face-offs and will be looking to make a lot of money next year that's bang-on.

+1

I said he is capable. Last season he scored 18 missing 10 games with injury.
the last 5 games his FOW is over 55 %. So I exaggratrated a bit. I would have him at 3 mil year. then Richards.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Personally I think he'll command 5 million on the open market.

I'd go as high as 3.5 to 4 on a shortened deal for him, would not give him a large long term contract which is what he'll likely look for to overlooks free agency.

He'd make an amazing 3rd line pivot, if only Randy would sway him and Grabo and give it a look.

Carlyle is killing Grabovski.

Grabovski for Luongo (I wouldn't, but maybe?)

*runs*

Oh and sitting Colborne and Grabo while Orr takes a regular shift?

Anyone who says there is hockey logic in that is a moron.