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Grabovski gambles that he can increase his value quickly; Signs one-year deal with Washington
24.08.2013. Fitz-Gerald, Sean. National Post

 Seven weeks after the Toronto Maple Leafs bought him out of his contract - prompting him to refer to coach randy Carlyle as a "[expletive] idiot" - centre Mikhail grabovski has officially landed with the Washington Capitals.

The 29-year-old unrestricted free agent has agreed to a one-year deal worth US$3-million with the Capitals. The team announced the deal Friday morning.

"Several teams were interested in Mikhail," said Gary Greenstin, Grabovski's agent. "We had so many calls. We were impressed with Washington coach Adam Oates. He talked with Mikhail, he talked with me. And his enthusiasm to work with Mikhail convinced us."

Greenstin said his client was only looking for a shortterm deal of one or two years, with his age playing a factor. Coming off a lockout-shortened season in which he was used in a variety of defenceoriented roles by the Leafs, Grabovski has a chance to increase his value in a season with the Capitals before hitting the market again.

"He'll be getting definitely more ice time," greenstin said. "He's got the ability for 60 or 70 points."

Grabovski managed to collect only 16 points in 48 games with the Leafs last season, the first in what was a new five-year deal worth US$27.5- million. Carlyle never seemed to find a comfort zone with Grabovski, and gave him checking-line minutes.

In one famous case, Carlyle refused to use Grabovski during a shootout loss to Winnipeg in March - a shootout that lasted 10 rounds. (Among the 10 shooters, Carlyle opted for defencemen Cody Franson and dion Phaneuf ahead of Grabovski.)

"He plays third or fourth line for half of the season after the lockout for Toronto, and that's not the way to play Mikhail," Greenstin said Friday. "Again, it's coach's decision, and I believe there's nothing wrong with the decision - it's the coach's right."

Grabovski spoke with TSN reporter Jonas Siegel after the buyout was announced in July; Toronto's second and final compliance buyout. He did not follow the traditional route of diplomacy when discussing his feelings for Carlyle.

"I play in the [expletive] russian KHL, I make lots of [expletive] points and what's going to happen? He make me [expletive] play on the fourth line and he put me in the playoffs on the fourth line and third line again," Grabovski told TSN. "yeah, I don't score goals. I need to work more about that. I know that. But if you feel support from your coach [you'll find success].

"I don't feel any support from this [expletive] idiot."

Washington offers a fresh start, and a mix of offensive talent that some feel could make Grabovski one of the more important free-agent signings of the summer.

"Mikhail adds speed and offence to our lineup, and we are very pleased to have him sign with the Capitals," Capitals general manager George Mc-Phee said in a release issued Friday morning. "We believe he will be an excellent addition to our club."

"It was the right choice for Mikhail," Greenstin said. 

Страничка Михаила Грабовского на сайте "Звёзды с Востока"

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