Leafs waive Grabovski for buyout

[djsFlames]

Wow he just took a big chunk right out of Pacioretty's arm it looked like.

What a beast.

[SuperMatt18]

I had no issue with the bite on Pacioretty.

Grabbed his face from behind, twisting his neck, and had his damn fingers in his mouth, deserved to get bit.

Wasnt a little facewash, pretty much had him in a full front face lock complete with the wrench on the neck.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Grabovski is likely the best unsigned hockey player in the world today.

That sounds like something the Flames could use

[Roof-Daddy]

If we pick up Grabovki or Bozak, I hope the Flames trade Stajan. Phoenix would be a pretty good fit for that IMO, depending on what they do during free agency. He'd slot in nicely behind Vermette and Hanzal as the 3C, and help a budget team reach the floor with his $3.5 million cap hit, while only costing them $2.5 million in real dollars.

I'd be perfectly happy heading into next season with a center group of:

Bozak or Grabovksi
Backlund
Knight
Monahan/Reinhart/Horak/etc

...it is a rebuilding team after all.

[cowtown75]

I'd have no problem giving Grabo a shot at a decent price. I think his style of play would fit in perfectly with Hartley's system.

[Karl]

This is a bad move for the Leafs, and even worse if they're planning on doing this to free up space to re-sign Bozak to a new contract that he won't be worth (in terms of both term and cap hit) and or give Clarkson stupid money.

Anyone who has seen Grabo play knows this little dude has substantial offensive creativity and skill. All you have to do is watch him and look at his production from the previous 2 years. And, unlike a certain Mr. Bozak, Grabo's had to do it mostly without the benefit of playing with the Leafs' best scorer. This past year he got the toughest zone starting minutes on the Leafs by a wide margin, yet they throw him under the bus for not producing.

Even though Bozak, like Stajan, are adequate hockey players, they are the perfect example of complimentary centres, who need a guy like Kessel to drive up their effectiveness. Grabo has proven he doesn't really need a guy as offensively gifted as Kessel or a true top-notch scorer to make him look better.

Me thinks the Leafs are getting rid of the wrong centre. It would be stupid for Feaster not to take a run at Grabo.

[Jables16]

I remember the Ducks being pretty interested in him before he signed his contract extension. I know Saku is close re-signing and Cogliano can play center but those don't strike me as great options. Less pressure on Grabo since Getzlaf is the clear #1, some decent young wingers to play with. That would be a great fit for both parties I would think.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by savemedrzaius

If you watched the first round, that is the kind of player Grabbo is regularly..not afraid of getting hit, fast, and has offensive creativity.

If the Leafs take this money and sign Bozak or overpay for Clarkson I don't see the point of this move. The only way this makes sense is if the Leafs have a trade lined up for a real 1st line centre and they needed the cap space. Any other move in my opinion is one step forward, two steps back.

Yep.

[savemedrzaius]

Originally Posted by Karl

This is a bad move for the Leafs, and even worse if they're planning on doing this to free up space to re-sign Bozak to a new contract that he won't be worth (in terms of both term and cap hit) and or give Clarkson stupid money.

Anyone who has seen Grabo play knows this little dude has substantial offensive creativity and skill. All you have to do is watch him and look at his production from the previous 2 years. And, unlike a certain Mr. Bozak, Grabo's had to do it mostly without the benefit of playing with the Leafs' best scorer. This past year he got the toughest zone starting minutes on the Leafs by a wide margin, yet they throw him under the bus for not producing.

Even though Bozak, like Stajan, are adequate hockey players, they are the perfect example of complimentary centres, who need a guy like Kessel to drive up their effectiveness. Grabo has proven he doesn't really need a guy as offensively gifted as Kessel or a true top-notch scorer to make him look better.

Me thinks the Leafs are getting rid of the wrong centre. It would be stupid for Feaster not to take a run at Grabo.

I feel the same..if I had to choose between Grabbo and Bozak, even with Grabbo's high price, I'd pick Grabo over Bozak. He brings way more to the table. I think Stajan is a perfect comparison to Bozak. The guy isn't a bad player and he is solid defensively, but he isn't someone who should be playing top 6 minutes and you're right, he doesn't add anything. Grabbo played with Kulemin and they had some great chemistry. Why break that up after one season?

Now that they have Bolland I don't see the need for Bozak. Put Kadri on the 2nd line and find a 1st liner. And Clarkson isn't a first liner. If they can get a Stastny or someone similar via trade then I will be okay with this move.

[Brannigans Law]

Grabo tore carlye a new butt. I'm on my phone but on TSN he dropped a lot of profanity in an interview. Lots.

[PeteLFan]

@RealKyper: Not a foregone conclusion Grabovski will 100% clear #NHL waivers

[Roof-Daddy]

I can totally see the Flames putting in a claim here. What's the order for claims? Order of the final standings starting with last place?

If so, I wonder if any of Florida, Colorado, Tampa, Nashville or Carolina would claim him?

Florida maybe?

[dammage79]

Nashville and Tampa might.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Nashville and Tampa might.

I don't see Nashville wanting to spend that many pennies on Grabo. Tampa could... they have the Cap Space to accomadate it (even moreso once Drouin signs and they get a bonus cushion) and have shown the willingness to spend.

[puckedoff]

I think he'd play well with Hudler

[Anduril]

For a 5.5M cap hit for 4 more years at the age of 29, that's bound to turn away more people. Chances are everybody is going to hold it out and take their chances when Grabovski gets bought out.

[liamenator]

Grabovski has cleared waivers because his contract and term are both way out of whack in relation to his abilities as a mediocre hockey player.

[Locke]

That. Was Awesome.

I would imagine Carlyle's jaw must have hit the deck when he heard that interview.

And somewhere Brian Burke is just laughing and laughing.