When the Toronto Maple Leafs bought out the contract of center Mikhail Grabovski on July 4, the Washington Capitals were immediately identified by media outlets as a possible suitor. The Capitals weren't going to re-sign Mike Ribeiro, so they were going to be short a second-line center. They weren't going to be able to commit to a big contract, so while other top free agents found new homes, the Capitals waited. Fifty days after Grabovski became a free agent, he signed a one-year, $3 million pact with the Capitals. After not making any moves early, Washington might have landed the best value on the market. Grabovski could start on the second line for Washington, which likely means skating with Martin Erat and Troy Brouwer. Grabovski may see time with Alex Ovechkin, because though Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom have been together for years, they've also been split up for short spells on several occasions. The Capitals likely were going to start the season with Brooks Laich as their No. 2 center, but he can now move to the third line and the team no longer has a potential issue with depth down the middle. For about as long as Backstrom has been the Capitals' No. 1 center, finding someone to slot behind him has vacillated between a short-term answer and a serious concern. If Grabovski plays well, he might command a contract like the one Ribeiro signed with the Phoenix Coyotes (four years, $22 million). Grabovski became a focal point for the advanced-statistics community after his production found on the back of a hockey card lagged in 2012-13. He was Toronto's best forward for several seasons in the advanced puck-possession stats and was among the best last season despite facing tougher competition and starting more shifts in the defensive zone, two things that naturally make it tougher to produce points (he finished with 16 in 48 games). NHL teams are typically secretive about what types of advanced statistics they use, and McPhee is among the most reticent when it comes to offering up information, regardless of the sensitivity of the topic. It is safe to say the Capitals were willing to look past a drop in goals and assists and recognize that Grabovski could be an impact player for them.
Monday 2 September 2013
Mikhail Grabovski
When the Toronto Maple Leafs bought out the contract of center Mikhail Grabovski on July 4, the Washington Capitals were immediately identified by media outlets as a possible suitor. The Capitals weren't going to re-sign Mike Ribeiro, so they were going to be short a second-line center. They weren't going to be able to commit to a big contract, so while other top free agents found new homes, the Capitals waited. Fifty days after Grabovski became a free agent, he signed a one-year, $3 million pact with the Capitals. After not making any moves early, Washington might have landed the best value on the market. Grabovski could start on the second line for Washington, which likely means skating with Martin Erat and Troy Brouwer. Grabovski may see time with Alex Ovechkin, because though Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom have been together for years, they've also been split up for short spells on several occasions. The Capitals likely were going to start the season with Brooks Laich as their No. 2 center, but he can now move to the third line and the team no longer has a potential issue with depth down the middle. For about as long as Backstrom has been the Capitals' No. 1 center, finding someone to slot behind him has vacillated between a short-term answer and a serious concern. If Grabovski plays well, he might command a contract like the one Ribeiro signed with the Phoenix Coyotes (four years, $22 million). Grabovski became a focal point for the advanced-statistics community after his production found on the back of a hockey card lagged in 2012-13. He was Toronto's best forward for several seasons in the advanced puck-possession stats and was among the best last season despite facing tougher competition and starting more shifts in the defensive zone, two things that naturally make it tougher to produce points (he finished with 16 in 48 games). NHL teams are typically secretive about what types of advanced statistics they use, and McPhee is among the most reticent when it comes to offering up information, regardless of the sensitivity of the topic. It is safe to say the Capitals were willing to look past a drop in goals and assists and recognize that Grabovski could be an impact player for them.
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