Does Joey Crabb have a future with the Toronto Maple Leafs?
Joey Crabb is one of three players (Jonas Gustavsson and Ryan Hamilton) currently with the Toronto Maple Leafs who become unrestricted free agents come July 1st. But of the three who are UFA’s, Crabb is the most interesting of the Maple Leafs’ free agents.
As Crabb’s contract expires at the end of the 2011/12 season, as he will get paid $750,000. During his two seasons with the Maple Leafs he has collected 37 points. Not much production I know, but the primary use for Crabb is for him to be a strong bottom six forward and an asset on the penalty kill. So after two seasons in Toronto, Crabb said he would like to re-sign with the Maple Leafs.
“Obviously I have confidence in myself that I can play in the league,” Crabb said. “You can’t control everything, but I definitely want to stick and stay here for good. I’m pleased with how things have been going. I’d like to get some more wins, needless to say, but I do feel comfortable out there and I’m confident in my abilities.”
Crabb’s journey throughout the NHL started with being drafted by the New York Rangers in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft (7th round, 226th overall). In August of 2006 Crabb signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Atlanta Thrashers. Crabb’s first goal was on December 10th, 2008, against the team that draft him. On June 24th, 2010 Crabb was traded by the Thrashers to the Chicago Blackhawks as part of a deal that sent the Thrashers’ first and second round picks in the 2010 NHL Draft, as well as Marty Reasoner and Jeremy Morin to Chicago in exchange for Dustin Byfuglien, Brent Sopel, Ben Eager and Akim Aliu. Later that year Crabb sign on with the Maple Leafs July 1st and continued his career in Toronto, starting with the Marlies. Now in the 2011/12 season Crabb has seen timed on 2nd, 3rd and 4th lines.
In my opinion I would like Crabb to return to the Maple Leafs. Crabb gives significant value as a bottom six forward, but can still occasionally put the puck in the net. Plus I hope Crabb will come at a cheap price, hopefully something between $1.5-2 million annually.
Source – http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2012/03/25/brophy_leafs_joey_crabb/
Rant Sports Toronto Maple Leafs Feature Writer
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