Former Toronto Maple Leafs, and long time linemates Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin have been reunited as both sign contracts with the New York Islanders.
Grabovski has agreed to a 4-year $20 million deal ($5 million AAV) while Kulemin agrees to the a 4-year $16.75 million deal ($4.1875 AAV). Arthur Staple of newsday was first with the story on twitter.
Kulemin gets $16.75 million over 4 years, Grabovski gets $20 million over 4 years from #Isles.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) July 2, 2014
The two were long-time linemates with the Toronto Maple Leafs before Grabovski was bought out last summer. It was a major change to the Leafs second/third line, as Clarke McArthur was also allowed to leave last summer as a free-agent signing with the divisional rival Ottawa Senators.
Grabovski, 30, spent the season with the Washington Capitals, scoring 13 goals and 35 points in 58 games. The Belarus native shows great possession stats and has for several years now. He scored a career high 29 goals and 29 assists for 58 points in the 2010-11 season for Toronto.
He made headlines after his buyout with an interview where he ripped Leafs coach Randy Carlyle for using him as a third line centre in his final season with the team.
Kulemin, who turns 28 on July 14th, scored 9 goals and 20 points in a third/fourth line role with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season. He scored a career high 30 goals and 57 points in the 2010-11 season for the Leafs. Kulemin was also part of the Russian Olympic team at the Sochi games.
The moves are the first big signings for the Islanders in the free agent frenzy. Yesterday, the Islanders signed back-up goalie Chad Johnson, formerly of the Boston Bruins.
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