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Moving Grabbo and Kuli

TML fan said:
I would rather have Bozak than Grabovski if the choice were between the two.
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I feel the opposite and for me, it's not very close (ignoring the salary difference which won't be as wide once Bozak gets signed).
 
slapshot said:
I'm not saying I dislike Grabbo. He plays hard, but I think he's more of an individualistic type player, better suited to a wing than center. If he can consistently score 25-30 goals, 50-60 points, I'm okay with that. But I doubt that's going to happen. Hope he proves me wrong.
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Which is where we came in. Did you take the previous 5 seasons off? Before last season, Grabovski's averaged 22 goals, 30 assists, and 52 points from 2008-12 (292 games). You've already been proved wrong that Grabbo isn't a consistent 50-60 point center. Weather vs. climate, man.
 
Yeah, I was on board with the idea of keeping Bozak around as an insurance policy rather than just go with Grabo and Kadri but if Bolland's in the mix I'd much rather go with those three than Bozak and any two of the others.
 
I'm not sure that the loss of Bozak is as catastrophic to re-signing Kessel as you seem to think. What's Kessel going to do, follow Bozak from team to team?

 
Bullfrog said:
I'm not sure that the loss of Bozak is as catastrophic to re-signing Kessel as you seem to think. What's Kessel going to do, follow Bozak from team to team?
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No kidding.  Even if he wanted to follow Bozak to whatever team he signs with, he would need that team to a) be interested in him, b) have the money to pay him, and c) have the cap space to add him.  Certainly it could happen, but it's certainly no given either.

And if the thought is that Kessel is so socially awkward or introverted that he would leave the Leafs if his best friend weren't on the team, I can't imagine such a person being that comfortable with the idea of joining a new (non-Bozak) team with mostly strangers on it.
 
Heroic Shrimp said:
Bullfrog said:
I'm not sure that the loss of Bozak is as catastrophic to re-signing Kessel as you seem to think. What's Kessel going to do, follow Bozak from team to team?
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No kidding.  Even if he wanted to follow Bozak to whatever team he signs with, he would need that team to a) be interested in him, b) have the money to pay him, and c) have the cap space to add him.  Certainly it could happen, but it's certainly no given either.

And if the thought is that Kessel is so socially awkward or introverted that he would leave the Leafs if his best friend weren't on the team, I can't imagine such a person being that comfortable with the idea of joining a new (non-Bozak) team with mostly strangers on it.
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Flyers just let Blake Kessel walk, maybe Phil would like to have his brother in the system. I think Blake still has a bit of upside, no? Just a thought. I'm not really worried that Phil is going to walk over Bozak anyway, seems a bit silly.
 
I'm not a Bozak fan and would be happy to see him walk but he was far and away the better player than Grabovski this past season in every aspect of the game.  Grabo was absolute garbage at both ends of the ice.  He couldn't pass, score, check his man, block a shot or muscle a guy off the puck to save his life.  Mainly he skated hard with poor positioning and got knocked down while the other team scored.

I'm hoping whatever illness he had was the main culprit but I don't hold much hope.
 
Grab's did nothing this season.. he has done nothing since signing the huge contract.. I hope he goes. Yes he plays with heart, but his inconsistency is not worth the 5.5 mil he gets. IMO I would prefer Bozak over him every time.
 
I'm not giving up on Grabovski yet. The fans have always had a love/hate relationship with him... If he comes up big next season no one will want to give him away.

I remember back when he had a disappointing 2nd season, after getting a contract a shade under $3 million, the consensus was to get rid of him for anything. A year later, people were calling him a top 30 center in the league.
 
I dont see the logic in selling grabo at his lowest point.

I understand the possible need to relieve us from cap space for big signings. but the money and term that these free agents are asking for is outrageous and Id much rather keep Grabo for his contract then get locked into one of the max contracts that these third liners are wanting.

Anyone we get from FA is going to have a similar contract to grabo and I dont see them offering more then what Grabo can potentially bring.
 
bschepes said:
I dont see the logic in selling grabo at his lowest point.

I understand the possible need to relieve us from cap space for big signings. but the money and term that these free agents are asking for is outrageous and Id much rather keep Grabo for his contract then get locked into one of the max contracts that these third liners are wanting.

Anyone we get from FA is going to have a similar contract to grabo and I dont see them offering more then what Grabo can potentially bring.
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Well, there are a few better playmaking centers available who'd be a better fit on the top line. They'll cost more for longer than Grabbo, but that might be the premium you pay for someone more suitable to center Kessel, though I'd imagine you're getting defensively worse at the 1C spot.
 
I guess this ends the debate on this point. Nonis seems to view it as I was trying to say. Not the Grabbo is a bad player, but when you sign the big contract a lot is expected. Not only that, I just don't see as a centre, more of a scorer and more individualistic. Just not the right fit. A good move by the Leafs I think. Frees up a lot of space that can better utilized. I wish him well. Still doesn't mean Bozak gets signed unless the dollar amount is right. Under $4 million and no more than 4-5 years. Maybe Weiss might not be a bad choice. As long as they add Clarkson, and either Weiss or Bozak. I'd be okay with that. Try Kadri at #1, Bozak #2, Bolland #3. Or Weiss, Kadri, Bolland.
 
slapshot said:
I guess this ends the debate on this point. Nonis seems to view it as I was trying to say. Not the Grabbo is a bad player, but when you sign the big contract a lot is expected. Not only that, I just don't see as a centre, more of a scorer and more individualistic. Just not the right fit. A good move by the Leafs I think. Frees up a lot of space that can better utilized. I wish him well. Still doesn't mean Bozak gets signed unless the dollar amount is right. Under $4 million and no more than 4-5 years. Maybe Weiss might not be a bad choice. As long as they add Clarkson, and either Weiss or Bozak. I'd be okay with that. Try Kadri at #1, Bozak #2, Bolland #3. Or Weiss, Kadri, Bolland.
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Weiss, Kadri, Boland makes more sense. Kadri gets more responsibility and you're not paying your #3C $5.5M. If Kadri is to develop he needs more minutes so that left Grabovski on the outs especially with his large contract.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 
Although some might argue that RC used Grabs as a 3rd line center against tough opposition... would anyone have hesitated to play Doug Gilmour against anyone? 
 
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