Grabovski Bought Out

[GhostofPotvin29]

He was never given a chance to be a #1 C on the Leafs, and I don't know why.

But that would have meant that he gels with Kessel, which you know he doesn't.

What evidence is there of that?  Kessel has shown he can score with pretty much anyone, so where does that come from?

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

Should have bought out Liles instead.

I believe he still has trade value, where Grabbo just doesn't. So, smart move by Nonis.

 

[bustaheims]

Also, this doesn't mean it gets spent on UFA's alone.

Well, around half of will be taken up by the team's RFAs.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Please not the Bozak thing.

Sadly, it's probably the most likely reason.

It better not be because of Bozak.

Last year, by far Grabovski's worst statistically (courtesy Siegel):

Bozak: 18 even-strength points in 722 mins. Grabovski: 13 in 664. Bozak: 12 goals. Grabovski: 9. Bozak: 52.6% FO. Grabovski: 50.6%.

One played with Kessel/JVR, the other played with McClement, Kulemin, MacArthur, Frattin.

Doesn't even get into zone starts, etc.

I know who I would rather have and it's not really close.

And if it's for someone other than Bozak, well then I'll reserve judgment until that happens.

EDIT: And to add more Siegel to the Bozak comparison (if that's why, mind):

@jonasTSN1050

Grabovski had 52 goals and 109 points in two seasons prior to 2013. Bozak had 33 and 79. Hard to argue Grabovski isn't the better player.

Did you get this from Jonas Siegel's twitter, or did he just take this from you....or are you Jonas Siegel?

Did the "courtesy Siegel" not tip you off or?

Yeah, well, I didn't see that in the initial post...Editor.

I didn't add that to the initial post, I edited where I, and this is revelatory, said "EDIT."

Book yourself that optometrist appointment you've been putting off.

 

[bustaheims]

I believe he still has trade value, where Grabbo just doesn't. So, smart move by Nonis.

It's only a smart move if he uses the newfound cap space to acquire a clear upgrade. Otherwise, there was no reason not to give Grabovski another season to see if he could turn it around.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

He was never given a chance to be a #1 C on the Leafs, and I don't know why.

But that would have meant that he gels with Kessel, which you know he doesn't.

What evidence is there of that?  Kessel has shown he can score with pretty much anyone, so where does that come from?

Watching them play together. It wasn't a long term thing, but you could tell that they weren't in lock-step. Grabo was always going off-side, or Kessel was way ahead of him causing an off-side.

This is just what I saw from the small amount of time they played together.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

Should have bought out Liles instead.

I believe he still has trade value, where Grabbo just doesn't. So, smart move by Nonis.

I think he can be a good puck-moving defenceman on the right team.  Even if he can moved at the trade deadline that would be useful.

 

[caver]

I believe he still has trade value, where Grabbo just doesn't. So, smart move by Nonis.

It's only a smart move if he uses the newfound cap space to acquire a clear upgrade. Otherwise, there was no reason not to give Grabovski another season to see if he could turn it around.

This.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

I believe he still has trade value, where Grabbo just doesn't. So, smart move by Nonis.

It's only a smart move if he uses the newfound cap space to acquire a clear upgrade. Otherwise, there was no reason not to give Grabovski another season to see if he could turn it around.

I don't think he would have done it otherwise. Or at least that's what I think. I suppose Nonis could make himself look bad, but I doubt it.

 

[Strangelove]

Based on what Nonis has been saying re Bozak, this is pretty clearly not a move to make space to sign him (they probably could have done that with the space they had already).  There's almost certainly something else in place.  It really doesn't make sense otherwise.

Love that Nonis is able and willing to make tough decisions.  Tomorrow should be interesting.

 

[Zee]

I thought it would be a boring day too.  The rumors should start coming in about what the Leafs are looking at now.

 

[lamajama]

Are we all comfortable that Weiss is that much of an upgrade on Grabbo? I know little about Weiss other than the feeling that he's been a disappointment (but he has been in Florida...).

And what happens if Nonis can't sign Weiss (or Clarkson)? Oops? Is this where the pre-signing talk has solved this?

Also - as has been pointed out - a lot of Cap room in a crappy UFA season. Just the way the Leafs roll.

Of course I reserve my right to consider myself full of crap if Nonis can sign a better player to a reasonable deal. 

And please....don't let this mean it's room for Bozak in the 1C.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

Based on what Nonis has been saying re Bozak, this is pretty clearly not a move to make space to sign him (they probably could have done that with the space they had already).  There's almost certainly something else in place.  It really doesn't make sense otherwise.

Love that Nonis is able and willing to make tough decisions.  Tomorrow should be interesting.

Nonis presser tomorrow?  What time does UFA start?

 

[bustaheims]

I don't think he would have done it otherwise. Or at least that's what I think. I suppose Nonis could make himself look bad, but I doubt it.

This is the first really questionable move he's made so far. There's been others that people may not have agreed with, but they were very much of the minor variety. I hope this plays out well, but I really fear this has "Bozak extension" or "overpaying Clarkson" written all over it, which, as far as I'm concerned, are really really really poor moves.

 

[lamajama]

Based on what Nonis has been saying re Bozak, this is pretty clearly not a move to make space to sign him (they probably could have done that with the space they had already).  There's almost certainly something else in place.  It really doesn't make sense otherwise.

Love that Nonis is able and willing to make tough decisions.  Tomorrow should be interesting.

JFJ made tough decisions too. Should I elaborate? 

 

[Tigger]

He's already gone from Capgeek  :'(

 

[Strangelove]

Based on what Nonis has been saying re Bozak, this is pretty clearly not a move to make space to sign him (they probably could have done that with the space they had already).  There's almost certainly something else in place.  It really doesn't make sense otherwise.

Love that Nonis is able and willing to make tough decisions.  Tomorrow should be interesting.

JFJ made tough decisions too. Should I elaborate? 

I guess it makes it easier to love the tough decisions when you happen to totally agree with them.

 

[Tigger]

Also - as has been pointed out - a lot of Cap room in a crappy UFA season. Just the way the Leafs roll.

That could give added flex for trades though, no?

 

[lamajama]

Another thought - I was thinking the Leafs would save this compliance buyout for next season but I imagine the thinking is is that the Cap will go up sufficiently enough that our (fans) hoped-for flexing of Leaf financial might will not gain us a buyout + good asset from another team. So that dream dies...

 

[Kin]

It's only a smart move if he uses the newfound cap space to acquire a clear upgrade. Otherwise, there was no reason not to give Grabovski another season to see if he could turn it around.

That or this was a decision that really is more connected to the fact that the team didn't plan on prominently using Grabo next year regardless.