[Signing] Grabovski signs with Caps

[savemedrzaius]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

I bet he lights it up this year while Leafs fans lament their overpayments for Bozak and Clarkson.

I imagine buyout guys have a little chip on their shoulder - especially with these short bridge contracts.

I remember him saying he wanted to stay in the eastern conference so he could stick it to the Leafs.

Anytime he played the Habs he would always go insane. He is pretty awesome, and I wish the Leafs kept him.

Last season I decided to buy a Leafs jersey. My choices were either Grabbo or Kadri...I went with Kadri, so they better damn sign him soon!

[Flames_F.T.W]

I was pretty neutral on the possibility of signing Grabo... wouldn't have been that excited or upset if we did... and now that he has signed elsewhere, i'm not relieved or disappointed. I guess it's a good thing as it leaves a spot open for someone like Knight or Monahan

[strombad]

Originally Posted by Flames_F.T.W

I was pretty neutral on the possibility of signing Grabo... wouldn't have been that excited or upset if we did... and now that he has signed elsewhere, i'm not relieved or disappointed. I guess it's a good thing as it leaves a spot open for someone like Knight or Monahan

I'm more or less in the same boat. I don't care that the Flames didn't get him, but I LOVE that the Caps did. I think he's going to be lights out on that team. Do I think he'd be the same player if he was on the Flames? Not really. It just seems like whatever it is he has to prove to people he will better be able to do so on an established eastern team.

[Mango]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I have no doubt in my mind that Feaster probably offered him a contract on par with what he signed for. Hell he might have offered better.

Indeed:

Katie Carrera @kcarrera
Agent says 12 teams were interested in Grabovski; Oates was the difference. “His enthusiasm to work w/ Mikhail convinced us this was right.”

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!

Wow.

About half the GMs in the NHL are complete idiots for not signing this guy if he's willing to agree to terms like that.

Including Feaster. Maybe especially Feaster.

I'll stand by that statement too, all season.

I am glad that Feaster didn't sign him. There would have been no fit here between Grabovski and the Flames. Picking him up for a 1 year deal would have been a waste of time and the best anyone could have hoped for in that situation is that he would have been good trade bait at the deadline.

Right now that may be Jagr's approach to signing contracts but Grabovski at 29 is probably thinking more about his career and trying to find a long term solution than to be a mercenary that signs 1 year deals and waits to be traded to a contender.

Besides, the last thing this team needs is more veterans clogging up roster spots and keeping the kids off the team. We already have enough trade bait for the deadline in Cammalleri, Stajan and Stempniak.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

My main reason for wanting Grabovski on the Flames is not for trade bait, but to have a higher-quality player working with the young guys and reclaimation projects. Skating at a higher pace, feeding him better passes, covering his lapses better, and giving him more time with the puck on his stick.

A higher-calibre line mate allows you to play at a higher level. This helps guys like Baertschi get closer to their max potential, and gives the guys like D Jones and Galiardi a better chance of having a rebound season (turning THEM into more valuable assets).

And the Flames don't have any centre prospect that I think is going to be ruined by staying in Abby until the deadline. Lance Bouma is barely replacement level, and could be replaced in about 30 seconds if needed. Reinhart still has a long way to go before he can say he's outgrown the AHL. Horak is the only guy I'd worry about burying, but I think he'll hardly be ruined by staying in Abby until the trade deadline

edit: And I'd be perfectly fine with him being significantly overpaid in Calgary. For starters because it's not my money, but more so because I think it would pay dividends by maximizing the development and performance of the new guys. I would have been happy to see him come in for $5m, especially if Stajan could be flipped for any reasonable return.