The Grabo Thread: Rejoins Team
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GrabsOverHabs
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- Apr 7, 2013
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I would have great results playing with PPG wingers too...
He's produced with Kadri, Crabb, Armstrong and co on his wings, but keep telling yourself that it's all Kessel, and/or Lupul. Heck, Bozak and Armstrong were a force on the PK, and combined for a few SH goals in seasons past. If anything, being on Kessel's line is throttling Bozak's offense because he has to focus a lot more on defense. A lot more than he'd have to if he was playing on the 3rd line with defensively aware wingers, where he could afford to take more chances.
It's nice to finally have 2 centers who are defensively competent. McClement was a great pickup by Burke to fit into Carlyle's system.
MiniMoose
Registered User
To say that he's had two solid years is disingenuous, at best. While the KGM line was very solid two seasons ago (and Grabo was a big part of that success), Grabo played like crap for the majority of last season, with the exception of his hot streak in January.
The Blue Devil
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- Nov 9, 2009
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SeenSchenn2
Itchin' For Mitch
Said player doesn't have the ability to produce consistently.
http://espn.go.com/nhl/player/gamelog/_/id/3438/mikhail-grabovski
How much more ice-time does he need?
The Winter Soldier
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- Apr 4, 2011
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Good players find a way to produce, lesser players find a way to excuses.
When you are paid 5.5M per, you find a way, but Grabo has been so far away from earning his paycheque that even the "put in position" excuse doesn't cut it anymore. He's Had the same wingers that were not good enough to play with Grabo that were able to produce with Kadri.
Furthermore, typecasting Bozak as a player that doesn't do anything for the #1 line is being quite disingenuous.
When you are paid 5.5M per, you find a way, but Grabo has been so far away from earning his paycheque that even the "put in position" excuse doesn't cut it anymore. He's Had the same wingers that were not good enough to play with Grabo that were able to produce with Kadri.
Furthermore, typecasting Bozak as a player that doesn't do anything for the #1 line is being quite disingenuous.
TMLeafer
Rest in Peace Johnny Bower
The buyout can be used in summer 2014 as well, can it not? I'm willing to see what Grabo can do next year. He hasn't been impressive this year, but I'm not writing him off just yet.
The Blue Devil
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- Nov 9, 2009
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Maybe you should look at the context of his ice time, they came when he was put out to shut-down other teams lines, it's not like he was getting 1st unit PP or put out with 2 elite offensive threats.
That explains why his production matches McClement's, who averages 3s of PPToI/G compared to Grabo's 1:44? What's next in that bag of excuses of yours?
Listen up pal. You are appealing to an intelligence quotient that is that is not apparent in those you are appealing to.
GrabsOverHabs
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- Apr 7, 2013
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You may be thinking of December where he had 16 points, January was one of his coldest months all year last season. He didn't score at all but had 7 assists. Grabovski had at least 4 goals per month every other month though including 8 in December. February is the only month I'd consider poor overall. He was -7 that month even though he scored 5 goals but he finished the season with an even 0 plus/minus. That's why I would still consider last season fairly solid. It's more like one bad month in an otherwise good year as opposed to one good month in an otherwise bad year.
Just for your reference, I consider it a solid season for a forward if they score over 20 goals and don't finish in the negative for plus/minus. Your definition of playing solid may be different in which case saying that "he played like crap" may be valid. But by my own standards, I disagree.
Mikeyg
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- Dec 26, 2011
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said player plays the 2nd power play every night, and had every opportunity taken away from him due to poor play. Kadri rightfully took his spot, stop crying please
Mikeyg
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- Dec 26, 2011
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I dont understand people sometimes... if this were phil or jvr or lupul (after signing new contract) people would be tearing them to shreds, every player is accountable, this "no opportunities" crap is a JOKE, he has done nothing this year to warrant more ice time, is a turnover MACHINE, and looks as though he has ZERO drive right now, he needs to sit for a game, gather himself, then come back and actually show randy that hes going to play the stop/go system that RC wants him to play, and gain more offensive zone time in doing that while he works up confidence... that will yield a lot more than this "feeling sorry/no opportunities/excuse" notion that people are creating for him... seriously that is most certainly enough with these excuses
thewave
Passenger 67
- Jun 17, 2011
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The 2nd PP unit is so much better then the first it's not even funny. They usually get like 45seconds or less but have full control during that time.
Just for the record:
Oct 6 - Dec 22, 2011: 28 GP - 8G, 7A - 15 Pts, 0 --> 0.54 PPG
Dec 23 - Feb 6, 2012: 19 GP - 10G, 14A - 24 Pts, +8 --> 1.26 PPG
Feb 7 - Apr 7, 2012: 27 GP - 5G, 7A - 12 Pts, -8 --> 0.44 PPG
0 SoG games: 8
1 SoG games: 20
2 SoG games: 19
If you're content with a 0.5 PPG (ie: 40 point forward) performance for the majority of the season from one of our supposedly best forwards (was voted one of the most valuable players on the team prior to the season starting), that's your choice. Some people are just more used to mediocrity than others.
Production on the PP >>>> passing the puck around on the outside against inferior defenders (compared to the one the top unit has to face every night).
GrabsOverHabs
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I wouldn't say 0.5 points per game is mediocre. There are probably six players per team that achieve that or better (roughly) if you were to distribute them evenly across all teams. That puts him well above the average player in the NHL (without any consideration for the fact that he did finish well over 0.5 PPG) but certainly not among the greats. When I defend Grabovski I'm not arguing that he's a Datsyuk in hiding, I'm saying he's a good player.
I don't think there's been a single person here yet that has said he's worth 5.5 million and I'm not going to be the first. I just think there's a pretty big distinction between saying he's overpaid and saying he's absolutely useless. People in this thread who point to his salary and poor performance generally make decent arguments against him (including yourself). It's the people saying he's got no plus side whatsoever that I will never understand.
diceman934
Help is on the way.
Grabo is no longer the fearless warrior that he was....he is not driving the net as he once did, and no longer is willing to sacrifice his body like in the past. This has hurt his game, he was not ever blessed with a high hockey IQ, but his fearless play was his biggest asset and he no longer plays like that. Maybe the fact that he likely was concussed with that huge hit against Boston and he came back and played could be the issue. He may also be sulking as well with the loss of the "A" on his jersey going to a first year player. All that I know is that he is not producing and he has the opportunity to do so.
His play this year and most of last year, makes his cap hit hard to swallow, and that is the real issue. We need more production for the amount of cap space he is taking up. His cap hit is at 8.6% of the team cap and his production is not in line with his cap hit. I hope he has a great finish to the season so that we can move him.
I would restrict his minutes. He could be on on the right wing of Grabovski during his offensive starts. Komarov for defensive starts. I really don't see a harm trying to increase offensive production on Grabs line. It's going to be quite handy in the playoffs.
