Draft Shmaft

by Greener on Jul 3, 2008 12:45 PM EDT

Cliff Fletcher has acquired Mikhail Grabovski from Montreal for prospect Greg Pateryn and the Leafs 2nd round pick in 2010. So yaaaay! No second round picks for years now! A C/LW, Grabovski is a 24 year old Belarusian who was Montreal's 5th round pick in the 2004 draft. Here's what Grabovski's all about according to HockeysFuture:

Mikhail Grabovski

Prospect Grade: 7.0 C

History

In 200304 played for Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk of the RSL, where he was fifth on the team in scoring. Also played for Team Belarus in the World Champhionships Division 1A. Before that he played in Belarus for the HC Younst Minsk club and the U-20 and U-18 in 2002-03 and 2001-02.

2005-06: Grabovsky was impressive in his performance this past year with Moscow Dynamo and has shown that he’s ready to make the jump overseas.

2006-07: His first season playing in North America, Grabovski was quick to acclimate, despite suffering a pre-season shoulder injury that delayed his regular season debut. His performance in Hamilton (AHL) was strong enough to earn a look in Montreal, and he instantly grabbed attention with his dynamic rushes and offensive prowess during his brief 3 game stay mid-season.

Talent Analysis

The talented young forward is an overage player, but proved quite capable on the surprising Neftkhimik (Nizhnekamsk) squad, which was the Super League’s overachiever all season long. A smooth skater with good speed, Grabovski leads the rush and made a significant contribution on offense.

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Comments

Mine had a picture, but I deleted it.

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by Chemmy on Jul 3, 2008 12:52 PM EDT 0 recs

Put him on a line with Antropov and Ponikarovsky, until you can jettison Ponikarovsky for a player from Kyrgyzstan.

by handknit on Jul 3, 2008 12:54 PM EDT 0 recs

I can’t wait for tomorrow. I’m going to wake up and Grabovksi myself a couple beers and then just chill.

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by Chemmy on Jul 3, 2008 12:57 PM EDT 0 recs

This has been the greatest time in Jared of London’s young life.

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by Greener on Jul 3, 2008 1:02 PM EDT up 0 recs

I suppose, but after a pun on grab I think we’re just Grabovski-ing at straws.

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by Chemmy on Jul 3, 2008 1:25 PM EDT 0 recs

Hmmm

I have to admit my sum total knowledge of Grabovski is that a schmuck in my hockey pool drafted him at the playoff supplemental (the pool goes right through to the Cup).

That said, does anyone else think it’s odd that the Leafs would get absolutely NOTHING for Kyle Wellwood and then trade a 2nd round pick and a prospect for a player that has put up virtual stats?

A life-long Toronto Maple Leafs fan comments on the team, the media and the exasperation...http://bitterleaf.blogspot.com

by mf37 on Jul 3, 2008 1:31 PM EDT 0 recs

Blogger Just Wants To Have Pun!

Seems to me like Cliff is just Grabovesking at straws here.
Something is up, but I can’t put my finger on it.

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on Jul 3, 2008 1:39 PM EDT 0 recs

Crap

Man, I gotta start reading the comments before I post my own. Chemmy beat me to that one and I didn’t even know it.

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on Jul 3, 2008 1:50 PM EDT up 0 recs

THIEF

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by Chemmy on Jul 3, 2008 2:04 PM EDT up 0 recs

Grabovski My Finger

THE3TARDS

by Wendel's Moustache on Jul 3, 2008 1:57 PM EDT 0 recs

The Big Grabovski

Guys, this is a great deal. We’re getting a 24 year old who can definitely pot 30 or more, dominated the A last year, is ready now, for a second rounder that can easily be replaced by the time 2010 draft rolls around

by Godd Till on Jul 3, 2008 2:12 PM EDT 0 recs

Yeah, I like this a lot.

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by Chemmy on Jul 3, 2008 2:25 PM EDT up 0 recs

So there goes any shot at an RFA in 2010 too…

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by Down Goes Brown on Jul 3, 2008 2:37 PM EDT 0 recs

The Leafs can always pull off a trade for the player. How does a week stay at one of the multiple MLSE condos sound?

by bkblades on Jul 3, 2008 2:42 PM EDT up 0 recs

Godd Till

Signing RFAs is tremendously overrated. So far we’ve seen teams basically get matched or get Dustin Penner.

by Godd Till on Jul 3, 2008 2:42 PM EDT 0 recs

Good point

However, keep in mind that the Leafs are projected to be so bad next year that they’re second round pick will be #17 overall.

Down Goes Brown - Because it's technically possible that things may get better before we all die. http://downgoesbrown.blogspot.com/

by Down Goes Brown on Jul 3, 2008 2:58 PM EDT up 0 recs

puntastic

The fellas over at Four Habs fans had what they called “The Lesbian line” which had the 2 Kostitsyn brothers (Big tits and Litlle tits) centered by Grabovski. It went Big Tits-Grabs-Little Tits. I think they win this pun war.

Also, Magilla Gorilla would really ape-reciate our recnet pun flurries

by loser domi on Jul 3, 2008 6:14 PM EDT 0 recs

War Of Pun-shendale

Yeah, well its easy when you’ve got raw material like that to work with.
I’m sure theres a very good Shenn, Finger, Grabowski pun somewhere, but I am hard pressed to come up with it.

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on Jul 3, 2008 6:22 PM EDT up 0 recs

Saw Him Play in the Hammer

Grabovski played for the Bulldogs last season, and I saw him a little bit during the ‘Dogs run to the Calder Cup. He has a lot of potential (offensively, though it looks like the pun thing has been mined rather exhaustively already) but I have two concerns – one, he has a tendency to get caught with his head down coming through the middle, especially at the opposition blueine. He is not a big guy to start with; that tendency is going to land him in the hospital at some point if he is not careful. Second, of all the past Leaf players, his style reminds me the most of Sergei Berezin (minus, it should be noted, the maddening puck-hog-idity).

So, you know how that turned out.

Who knows, though, in an NHL where obstruction rules are enforced, maybe even ol’ 94 could’ve had a longer career.

jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior"

by jrwendelman on Jul 7, 2008 9:59 AM EDT 0 recs