Hockey Trade Rumors

Here is the story of Mikhail Grabovski. He’s an average player, gifted with tremendous talents, that has not been used in his hockey career at all. But how can a player with unhuman speed, gifted hands, and amazing vision not put up atleast 50 points in a season? Well, bad attitude, selfishness, and many other distractions has caused the poor Belorussian to have a setback in his career.

It all started in Montreal, a place where the Canadiens are the most important thing the city knows. Grabovski, who only wanted a shot in the NHL, had a roster sport with the team in the beginning of the year. After subpar play, the conference leading Canadiens sent down Grabovski to better the team. After spending time in the AHL, he knew he did not have a chance with the new and young Montreal Canadiens. On a team roadtrip, where Grabovski was called up, he left early to Los Angeles to meet his agent in hopes of demanding a trade to leave the team. This infuriated many current Habs on the team.

Grabovski got his wish. After the season, Habs GM Bob Gainey traded the disgruntled forward to Toronto for a secound round pick in 2010. Many felt the trade was a way to get back at Grabovski, by putting him on one of the worst teams in the league for years to come. But Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher saw potential in the disgruntled forward, and Grabovski knew that this was his chance for a new beginning.

Grabovski came into Leafs training camp, and was guaranteed a spot on the team automatically. His breakout game was against his old club the Montreal Canadiens, where he led the Leafs to victory. Even starting a feud with forward, and former friend, Sergei Kostitsyn. After a hot start to the season, he soon began a 17 game funk where he became discouraged. He seemed to get on the bad side of Leaf players, like Jason Blake, and the coaching staff. He was benched for a few games as well by coach Ron Wilson.

Announcers, like Joe Boewen, all saw Grabovski as a player with tons of potential, but his immaturity was destroying him in this league. For example, taking stupid penalties, or playing a 5-on-1 game, instead of 5-on-5.

Something in Grabovski seemed to grow up since the trade deadline. He has learned to play great defensively, which has helped his offensive game in the end. He has also used his linemates, in Ponikarovsky and Kulemin, to benefit his play and help him offensively. Grabovski as of late seems to be a fan of Brian Burke, who cheered loudly when everyone believed he got a hat trick against the Calgary Flames. Instead credting one of the goals to Nik Kulemin in the end. Burke and Fletcher know his upside, which is crucial for a Leafs rebuild with tons of young players.

Grabovski now has a plan this summer to make everyone believe he has grown up in this league. First, starting with a tough workout regime to last an 82 game season. Second, learning how to speak English to be able to communicate better with other players in North America. Grabovski even viewed the benching as helping him, instead of punishing him. This gives Maple Leaf fans hope thatb Grabovski is maturing, and growing up into a decent player.

Many fans on this site has stated whether Grabovski should stay or leave. I say keep him, he has more upside than a downside in this league, and he seems to be liked by Brian Burke and Ron Wilson. Also, Toronto has a highly touted prospect in Mikhail Stefanovich, another Belarussian, who will help each other on the growing of this squad.

Therefore, Grabovski knows what he needs to do to become successful, which gives Leaf fans hope that he has finally gotten it right, and a home, in Toronto.