The media predictions for the Leafs.

[Jalili]

One question? why it it that even after a 29-29 season grabo is not classed as a #1 center. i think we have had a top center all along we just needed to wait for him to get to this point. i'm betting he improves on his numbers this season. and as for Simmons he is a typical to media writer, always down on there team, maybe some day they will do it right and get behind there team. the leafs will be better then eight this year.

That's easy... there are 30 or more centers that are better than Grabovski.

[Sarge]

One question? why it it that even after a 29-29 season grabo is not classed as a #1 center. i think we have had a top center all along we just needed to wait for him to get to this point. i'm betting he improves on his numbers this season. and as for Simmons he is a typical to media writer, always down on there team, maybe some day they will do it right and get behind there team. the leafs will be better then eight this year.

That's easy... there are 30 or more centers that are better than Grabovski.

Yeah, I think Grabovski a real nice #2. Nobody should pretend he's anything more.

[BlueWhiteBlood]

Yeah, I think Grabovski a real nice #2. Nobody should pretend he's anything more.

So what would make him a #1? Is it points? Face-off ability? What?

[Sarge]

Yeah, I think Grabovski a real nice #2. Nobody should pretend he's anything more.

So what would make him a #1? Is it points? Face-off ability? What?

All of the above I think. Also, I'm still most interested to see if he can repeat last year's numbers.

[BlueWhiteBlood]

All of the above I think. Also, I'm still most interested to see if he can repeat last year's numbers.

I wouldn't rule out improvement either though. I sensed finality in your response, as I think he can be more. Whether or not he is or reaches for a higher spot is another story, but I wouldn't be so quick to rule it out.

[Sarge]

All of the above I think. Also, I'm still most interested to see if he can repeat last year's numbers.

I wouldn't rule out improvement either though. I sensed finality in your response, as I think he can be more. Whether or not he is or reaches for a higher spot is another story, but I wouldn't be so quick to rule it out.

I agree... but I'm not banking on it. It's kind of like Kessel. COULD he get 50 goals this year? It's not out of the question but I'm not banking on that either. 

[Nik]

One question? why it it that even after a 29-29 season grabo is not classed as a #1 center. i think we have had a top center all along we just needed to wait for him to get to this point. i'm betting he improves on his numbers this season. and as for Simmons he is a typical to media writer, always down on there team, maybe some day they will do it right and get behind there team. the leafs will be better then eight this year.

Oh grow up. It's the height of professional irresponsibility for any member of the media to consider the Leafs "their" team.

[Tigger]

One question? why it it that even after a 29-29 season grabo is not classed as a #1 center. i think we have had a top center all along we just needed to wait for him to get to this point. i'm betting he improves on his numbers this season. and as for Simmons he is a typical to media writer, always down on there team, maybe some day they will do it right and get behind there team. the leafs will be better then eight this year.

That's easy... there are 30 or more centers that are better than Grabovski.

I don't think that's true especially with price performance.

[Nik]

So what would make him a #1? Is it points? Face-off ability? What?

I think the fact that there was never any serious consideration on the part of Leafs fans/Leafs brass to use him as the team's #1 centre is probably a pretty good indication.

[Tigger]

So what would make him a #1? Is it points? Face-off ability? What?

I think the fact that there was never any serious consideration on the part of Leafs fans/Leafs brass to use him as the team's #1 centre is probably a pretty good indication.

Of what?

[Nik]

Of what?

Of his ability to fill the position.

[Tigger]

Of what?

Of his ability to fill the position.

I think you missed what he was asking.

[Nik]

I think you missed what he was asking.

No, I grasped it. I just answered in the context of a "#1 centre" being a position rather than a loose set of attributes.

[bustaheims]

I think the crux of the issue here is the difference between a 1st line centre and a centre who plays on their team's 1st line. There are not 30 of the former, whereas there are, at any point in the season, 30 of the latter - and that's the category that Grabovski would potentially fall in. He's conceivably capable of playing centre on his team's 1st line, but he's not a 1st line centre - the high end of his game hasn't shown itself to be high enough.

[Tigger]

I think you missed what he was asking.

No, I grasped it. I just answered in the context of a "#1 centre" being a position rather than a loose set of attributes.

From what I can tell you were only re-enforcing why he remains thought of as a number 2 not what would push him to be a number 1 but if the answer is 'when the fans and management say so', well ok I guess.