his skills show otherwise.. he was never a great d-man.

at the age of 27 his d skills have diminished already.

Much like we have with Regehr. He is just a tough guy who can lay the body now.
- JVince117

When he is subject to playing Ron Wilson`s up Tempo, Screw the defense, Join the Rush every time system, he will become a better defender. Same for Luke Schenn.

Is there a more feared open ice hitter in the League??

Grabo is an amazing player, he brings a lot to the table not just points.
- yea-ok-buddy

Like what?

His 51% FO% is nothing spectactular to warrent 5.5M..

his 56 hits in 74 games which he had less than Clark f'n MacArthur

or perhaps his 46 giveaways only mirrored by his 49 takeaways.

What is so amazing?

that's the reason you're lying down instead of sitting.
- RealityChecker

It makes the target easier to hit...

Gill has one hell of a poke check...
- Flyfreaky

Seems like Luongo too . Sounds like he is doing poking .

When he is subject to playing Ron Wilson`s up Tempo, Screw the defense, Join the Rush every time system, he will become a better defender. Same for Luke Schenn.

Is there a more feared open ice hitter in the League??
- billyberg10

Yea... Probably...

Seeing as how I personally had a hand in the signing of Leino.. and it was my idea for the length and parameters.. I should just tuck my tail and walk away..

Phaneuf is an over the hill, hard hitting tough guy, with a hell of a shot, with diminishing defensive skills IMO.

What the trade value for him would be depends on the team's need that he would be going to..
- JVince117

I'd say he's still a top end talent, he was 12th scoring for defenseman And he's only 27, Sure he looks like a caveman and would probably benefit from having a chicken drumstick in the opposing teams net for motivation but you can't discount someone for being a meat head

Not always about points.. Jordan Staal hasn't past 50 points, but who wants to bet he will be making $6.5M +?

Grabo plays well defensively, and compliments the players around him... He bounces back from all injuried incredibly quickly. He tries his ass off every shift. There is something to be said for heart.
- mfreedman

nono, its good when the alo fans think Grabovski isnt good. They think Leino is all star material, enough said.

Seems like Luongo too . Sounds like he is doing poking .
- VANTEL

Chaz Bono taught him well..

Like what?

His 51% FO% is nothing spectactular to warrent 5.5M..

his 56 hits in 74 games which he had less than Clark f'n MacArthur

or perhaps his 46 giveaways only mirrored by his 49 takeaways.

What is so amazing?
- JVince117

hey stats,

learn the game of hockey then comment, thanks for coming out.

Like what?

His 51% FO% is nothing spectactular to warrent 5.5M..

his 56 hits in 74 games which he had less than Clark f'n MacArthur

or perhaps his 46 giveaways only mirrored by his 49 takeaways.

What is so amazing?
- JVince117

Did you have a sleep over at U_G's house last night?? Did his mommy cut the crust off your Nuttella sandwich???

Grabo can score, makes his linemates better, Gets punished by big hits and gets back up to score overtime goals.

I would have prefered a contract at 4.75 - 5M per, but the cost of locking up your best center with the prospect of losing him to F.A. was a good gamble to take.

Like what?

His 51% FO% is nothing spectactular to warrent 5.5M..

his 56 hits in 74 games which he had less than Clark f'n MacArthur

or perhaps his 46 giveaways only mirrored by his 49 takeaways.

What is so amazing?
- JVince117

pay attention

look around the league.. second line centres are making anywhere between 4.5 and 5.75million per

the inflation of the cap is creating serious overpayment amongst the UFA ranks... all teams.. all positions

Chaz Bono taught him well..
- Flyfreaky

you're not half the man that chaz bono is.

pay attention

look around the league.. second line centres are making anywhere between 4.5 and 5.75million per

the inflation of the cap is creating serious overpayment amongst the UFA ranks... all teams.. all positions
- Dozzer

So you are saying Connolly is a bargain?

Toronto would trade essentially their top line pairing plus a 5th overall pick for JVR ANOTHER WINGER, and a 3rd string goaltender??

Stick to GM Mode in NHL 12 kid.
- JVince117

I told you my evaluation of Phaneuf was lower than yours. Schenn for JVR (we win that trade, easy to see).

The trade then becomes Phaneuf for a late 1st and a backup goalie.

Herees the reason why this is fine by me:

1) Getting Bobrovsky means we COULDN'T bring in a guy like Luongo that would cripple our team.
2) We clear 6.5M off the cap for next year (We really need the room)
3) We get rid of our biggest defensive liability. Gunnarson saved Phaneuf's ass last year, it was all Gunnar.
4) We get a late 1st rounder. This essentially means we can package our 2nd rounder with our first rounder to move up a few positions int he draft and grab Galchenyuk. This is very important to me this year. We need this kid, he will be a staple in our line-up for many years.

After this, I would trade away Kessel while he has maximum value around the league (It would be nice to trade a player for once when his value is peaking rather than when he is worthless). Lupul I would keep as a 1st line winger, he was incredible last year and I want to see how much he can improve.

We now have room for some guys that have been aching for a spot to move up in the lineup. Holzer or Blacker get a spot on the D, Franson becomes a regular. Frattin and Kadri become regulars in the line-up, etc... This is a good move for the rebuild imo.

So you are saying Connolly is a bargain?
- Scooby_Doo

Connolly was a mistake, thank god it was only 2 years.

Like what?

His 51% FO% is nothing spectactular to warrent 5.5M..

his 56 hits in 74 games which he had less than Clark f'n MacArthur

or perhaps his 46 giveaways only mirrored by his 49 takeaways.

What is so amazing?
- JVince117

Go look at his advanced stats.

Edit:

Mikhail Grabovski

----------2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 2009-12 (3yr)
HARO+ 1.287 1.390 1.278 0.987 1.265 1.309
HARD+ 0.938 1.015 1.048 0.873 0.605 1.014
HART+ 1.113 1.202 1.163 0.930 0.935 1.161

you're not half the man that chaz bono is.
- RealityChecker

Which half?

Which half?
- Flyfreaky

lower half. clearly you have the moobs.

Yeah, you had great success against those 5 other teams.....
- Oilfan19

oh man you got me.. yea your right the oilers are better

Grabo.. a 28 year old 5'11 (being generous) 185 lb center whose best seasons are 58, 51, and 48 points making 5.5M


- JVince117

not sure what you point is here... but as a comparison - there's a guy, fairly little guy who now plays for Philly, has a CAP hit of a cool 6.5M, with 53, 68 and 49 points in his most recent three years... maybe you've heard of him Danny Briere?

what kind of money did you think Briere was going to sign for after his career year in Barfallo? what kind of money do you think a somewhat smallish, oft diving little pain the ass Derek Roy is going to sign for? Do you think he's taking less than Leino? Perhaps you shouldn't be ridiculing Grabovski's contract... but then perhaps you'd be able to see that if the buildings in Buffalo had windows

Grabovski makes more money than.....

Ryan Getzlaf
Corey Perry
Bobby Ryan
Milan Lucic
Nathan Horton
Tuomo Ruutu
Marrian Hossa
Patrick Sharp
Gabriel Landeskog
Matt Duchene
Loui Eriksson
Mike Ribeiro
Brenden Morrow
Johan Franzen
Valtteri Filppula
Jiri Hudler
Tomas Holmstrom
Jeff carter
Dustin Brown
Tomas Plekanec
Erik Cole
John tavares
Michael Grabner
Ryan Callahan
Brandon Dubinsky
Milan Michalek
Scott Hartnell
Claude Giroux
Shane Doan
Jordan Staal
james Neal
Chris Kunitz
Joe Pavelski
Ryane Clowe
David Backes
Ryan Kesler
David Booth
Brooks Laich
Evander Kane

Who I would ALLLLLL take instead of paying Grabo 5.5M...

If you would take Grabo over these guys... you got blue/white glasses on son!

lower half. clearly you have the moobs.
- RealityChecker

We'd make a good team...

Duncan Keith For Scott Hartnell and a pick.

Grabovski makes more money than.....

Ryan Getzlaf
Corey Perry
Bobby Ryan
Milan Lucic
Nathan Horton
Tuomo Ruutu
Marrian Hossa
Patrick Sharp
Gabriel Landeskog
Matt Duchene
Loui Eriksson
Mike Ribeiro
Brenden Morrow
Johan Franzen
Valtteri Filppula
Jiri Hudler
Tomas Holmstrom
Jeff carter
Dustin Brown
Tomas Plekanec
Erik Cole
John tavares
Michael Grabner
Ryan Callahan
Brandon Dubinsky
Milan Michalek
Scott Hartnell
Claude Giroux
Shane Doan
Jordan Staal
james Neal
Chris Kunitz
Joe Pavelski
Ryane Clowe
David Backes
Ryan Kesler
David Booth
Brooks Laich
Evander Kane

Who I would ALLLLLL take instead of paying Grabo 5.5M...

If you would take Grabo over these guys... you got blue/white glasses on son!
- JVince117

Holy sh*t! That's insane...

We are a good team...
- Flyfreaky

fixed