Unfortunately I'd trade him at the deadline, or earlier. I think while he is playing good, you gotta maximize value for this guy. We could get some decent assets in return.
The problem with longer contracts, 4-6 years, and russians is that they quit. I fear that with Grabovski. Not with Kulemin though. You gotta lock him up.
I think you have this *** backwards. Seem like Kulemin takes more nights off.
Somewhere close to the market price for a UFA with his statistics.
Why not ignore the thread instead of trying too hard to be condescending? You've become predictable.
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To the OP, it's a matter of what Grabovski wants, really. He holds the lion's share of the negotiating power. What works in our favour is that he enjoys Toronto, has a family in the city, Kulemin is one of his best friends, he has a coach who believes in him, and fans who adore him. I can see it being very hard for him to leave. A long-term deal is what I'm projecting.
2-3 year deal: $5M per
4 year deal: $4.7-4.8M per
5 year deal: $4.5-4.6M per
I'm curious as to whether Burke has had any initial contract talks with him or Kulemin. Do they share the same agent?
Last edited by Duke Silver: 11-24-2011 at 10:19 PM.
4 mil a yr + bonus for performance maxing out at 6 mil if he gets 70 points plus 2 yrs consecutive
Under the new CBA cap world performances bonus are only allowed on entry level contracts and players over age 35.
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Signature: There is no greater demonstration of Fan patience then to suggest to "Play the Kids " and be willing to accept the consequences of those actions..
Thanks, I'll remember that for the next 15 "What will Grabovski's next contract be? " threads.
Do you by any chance look like this guy?
Seriously, you should know the drill by now. There certainly will be 15 more threads about Grabovski's next contract! So just ignore them. The only thing worse than duplicate threads is having to be treated to 15 more variations of your "he'll get what he gets when he signs the contract" posts. Posting in the threads only bring them back to the top of the forum anyways, so it's not helping.
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As for the intended topic of this thread:
I did a quick Google search and couldn't find out whether Grabo and Kulemin share the same agent. If this were the case, I'd be expecting close-to-identical contracts in the collective area of $9.5-$10M for both, if they have seasons comparable to last. One would think Grabo's agent will use Connolly's UFA contract ($4.75M) as a bargaining chip, as well as Leino's $4.5M. I would be surprised to see it go north of $5M, though.
Grabovski wants to stay in Toronto, all I ever hear is how he embraces the city. I bet Burke hardballs him though and signs him for 3 years/14M (4.667M per). Kulemin probably gets the longer term; 5 years/24M (4.8M per).
Meh, the way we're operating at the moment makes me think there'll be a trade(s) made sometime throughout the season. The Leafs just have too many capable bodies. My list of possible casualties includes MacArthur, Bozak, Kadri, Franson, Gunnarsson, Aulie and maybe Komisarek dumped in the off-season.
They make $5,250,000 combined right now, and will probably command a $2M-or-so raise each.... with Liles and Finger ($7.7M combined) coming off the cap, we should have more than enough room for Grabo/Kuley.
Plus there's always the option of trading a guy like Komisarek, and you have to imagine that a guy like Mac will be shipped out sooner or later to make room for Kadri, or maybe Connolly to make room for Colborne.
You never know, 'cause center's with Grabo's skill level and work ethic just dont grow on trees. But whatever his contract ends up being, he'll have earned the **** out of it and we'll be glad just to have him.