Posts tagged Ponikarovsky
The Luca Caputi Rap
Jul 12th
Ilya Kovalchuk Isn’t That Impossible
Jun 18th
With the Leafs having a forward core that’s been described as absolutely brutal, and one of the most pathetic that has ever graced the NHL from a team that wasn’t within its first 2-3 years of existence, there is a lot of hype over what Brian Burke will do with this roster that has promise for the future, but no zing for the now. People are undecided if the big move is going to happen via trade, or via free agency. Personally, I think we’re going to see a little bit of both. Do I have any idea whatsoever the results are going to be? No clue. But do I have any wants?
Absolutely. In fact, I have the biggest want, with my eyes entirely on the big prize. Specifically, I want the man who just might be the best free agent in NHL history, all factors considered (more on that later). Of course, I’m talking about #17 of the New Jersey Devils (you know him better as the only relavent thing the Atlanta Thrashers have had in years) Ilya Kovalchuk.
Now, I know what you’re thinking “Jeff, first off, best UFA ever? You’re crazy. Secondly, he’s going to want too much money, thirdly, he’s going to the KHL, fourth, Burke doesn’t want him, and five, why would he want to come here?”
All fair arguments. But I’m still going to try to squash them.
Where Can Kabby Go?
Jun 4th
So, its June and the year is 2008 or later. You guys all know the drill. Tomas Kaberle probably used his no trade clause at the trade deadline, and speculation runs wild that the Leafs will trade him at the draft, particularly this year where the pick cupboard is particularly low. The particular opinion is that the Leafs want a top six forward and secondary toughness in return, in an effort to shore up a particularly ailing forward system on a team filled to the brim with defencemen and goaltending for the first time since the birth of Chris Chelios (273 BC).
At this point, everyone agrees that no matter how much we respect Kaberle for being one of the top all time defencemen on this team in terms of contribution, for being far and away the longest serving Leaf left (he’s the only player that was on the roster before October 2008. Yes, you read that right), for being classy as can be during his tenure, for consistantly being an awesome defenceman, and about a thousand things great about him, its his time to go. Dion Phaneuf has come in and declared the team his, essentially making it clear that anyone who disagrees can jump off a bridge. Francois Beauchemin had a solid year. Komisarek, when healthy, was very good after the first few weeks. Luke Schenn had a weak start to the year, but has been evolving at hyperspeed since Dion came in. Carl Gunnarsson has shown amazing strides in his play. And the Leafs have a million and one defensive prospects willing to force Jeff Finger into the AHL. Kaberle is just simply the odd one out.
There is a question that concerns many though – and that’s who would be wanting a player like Kaberle? As great as he is, there are definite concerns in such a trade.
1. How does the other team look for salary?
1a. Do they have a lot of players to sign already? High cap space may not be as good as appears.
2. Do they have enough forward depth to be able to trade someone solid away?
3. Would Kaberle be a first pairing defenceman on the team?
4. Would Kaberle be the #1 puck moving defenceman on the team?
5. Is the team in a position where they’d want to be acquiring a Kaberle to win?
6. How badly would they require Kaberle to sign an extension? And
7. Would Kaberle want to sign an extension there?
I took these 8 categories, and put them in to a chart, to see if it gives a reasonably accurate portrayal of who I thought could aquire Tomas. This is what came out of it.
Calgary Flames New Jerseys, Offseason Plans Leaked
Apr 11th
An inside source to LeafsHQ has confirmed to us that the above jerseys will be the Jersey the Calgary Flames wear full time this upcoming year. You may have already seen them wear the home and 3rd once each this year (photos at the bottom if you haven’t), but they like them so much that they’re going through with the total change. The word is that they feel that they more accurately represent the direction that the team is going, with the 3rd being a throwback to the old “C” logo while still showing signs of the direction.
The same inside source has also confirmed to us that after Jarome Iginla is traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs with a 1st and Mikael Backlund for Jeff Finger, Mikhail Grabovski, Mike Komisarek, and Jean-Sebastien Giguere, the Flames will name first line centre Matt Stajan as the next Captain of the team, with Ian White and Niklas Hagman getting the A’s.
They well then continue on to attempt to ignore the salary cap by signing Alexei Ponikarovsky, Lee Stempniak, Rickard Wallin, Jamie Lundmark, Wayne Primeau, Garnet Exelby, Mike Van Ryn, and the blue chip of the former Leafs batch of 2010, Martin Skoula.
The source identified himself as Dwayne Keith Klessel of a city in Pennsylvania, said he had a hockey site where he makes up absolutely absurd rumors for profit, but alas, this is the first time someone’s actually sent him a legit piece of insider information, and he felt it should be given to a more legitimate site, like a brand new Leaf blog that not many know about.
He then proceeded to tell us that Vincent Lecavalier will be traded to the Habs 3 times. All at the same time. When we told him to get out out, he screamed LETS DO THIS, LEEROYYYYYY JENKINSSSSSS, grabbed his push scooter, and failed miserably at jumping a flight of stairs. 3 days later, nobody’s called an ambulance for him, and this joke is at dead status, resulting in this being the last sentence in the article.
Grabovski On The Home Stretch of Leafs Career?
Apr 8th
Keep checking LeafsHQ over the next few days! I’ll be posting very similar articles for every player, several prospects, and several staff.
The 5 W’s
Who is he?
Mikhail Grabovski is a 26 year old centre from Potsdam, Germany (raised in Belarus). He’s 5’11 and weighs in at 182lbs. A left handed shot, this is Grabovski’s technical sophomore season in the NHL, though he’s had two call up stints previous to this with the Montreal Canadiens.
Grabovski is currently the second line centre for the Toronto Maple Leafs, with rotating wingers depending on what Wilson tries on a given night. Grabovski, or ‘Grabo’, has flirted with the 1st line this year a few times. He shows chemistry with Nikolai Kulemin, and did with Niklas Hagman and Alexei Ponikarovsky before they were traded.
What do his stats look like this year?
Grabovski is having an underwhelming sophomore year, with 34 points (10 goals 24 assists) in 58 games, which paces to 45 points in 78 games, 3 less than he had in the same amount of time last season. He’s become much more disciplined, with 10 PIM instead of the 92 last year, but has lost a goal scoring edge, no doubt.
When did they acquire him?
Grabovski was acquired from the Montreal Canadiens in the summer of 2008 for a 2nd round pick and 2008 5th round pick Greg Pateryn.
Where has he played?
Grabovski started out his pro career in Russia, playing with Nizhnekamsk Neftekhimik for 03/04 and 04/05. He would play for the much better known Moscow Dynamo in 05/06, before crossing the ocean and starting to play in North America. He started out with the Hamilton Bulldogs, playing a full year. The Habs would give him 24 games in 07/08, before beginning to have him come with them without play (healthy scratch). This infuriated Grabovski, who bolted from the team after this continued for a lengthy period of time. Eventually they sent him back down to the AHL, where he would get 20 points in 12 games. He was traded to Toronto the next offseason.
Why was he originally acquired?
Grabovski was acquired to be a potential solution to the centre crisis. The Leafs believed themselves to have absolutely nobody down the middle, and needed people to fill in holes, particularly if they weren’t terribly aging, and with Grabo a more than fine 24 years old at the time, he seemed a good fit.
Role Changes
What was his role to be at the start of the year?
Grabovski was expected to be the second line centre behind Matt Stajan to start the year, and the 1st line centre if Stajan were to not be available (like, if he were to be traded to the Calgary Flames with others for Dion Phaneuf).
What is his current role with the team?
Grabovski is currently the second line centre behind Tyler Bozak. He also gets powerplay minutes.
Has he exceeded or failed to reach expectations of him to date?
Definitely failed. Not only will he not meet his pace for points that he was on last season, he also had his spot in the depth chart handed to him at the start of the year, and failed.
Will he continue to improve in the future with the Leafs?
Questionable. He’s at the beginning of prime-age, and he’s still only a 45 point scorer. Its possible, but I can’t see him becoming anything incredibly good.
Is He Worth Keeping?
Who knows. It depends on the moves that the Leafs make this offseason. He’ll probably be 3rd on the Leafs depth chart behind Bozak and Kadri, and he doesn’t suit a bottom 6 role. Really, unless he wants to play Left Wing, I don’t see him lasting long.
Anything Else?
If there’s one thing the team can take from the man Burke described as ‘Stupid but Healthy’ after a bar fight during the Olympics, its his work ethic in practice. According to Ron Wilson last year, he’s by a considerable margin the hardest working player when it comes to them. If only that could translate into something more.
Play of the Year
His tip in overtime winner from a few weeks ago. Definitely hasn’t been the highlight reel year it was last year.
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