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Report: Caps, Grabovski closing in on deal

Toronto Maple Leafs v Montreal Canadiens

MONTREAL, CANADA - MARCH 3: Mikhail Grabovski #84 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his third period goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on March 3, 2012 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 3-1. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

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If reports are true, Mikhail Grabovski could soon be on his way to Washington.

According to Belarusian sports outlet Pressball (and Belarusian TV channel ONT), Grabovski is on the verge of signing a one-year deal with the Capitals, believed to be in the neighborhood of $3 million.

Gary Greenstin, the player agent representing Grabovski, had no comment about any potential deal.

The Grabovski-to-Washington deal has been bandied about for quite some time, notably in late July when PHT’s very own Jason Brough asked if the Caps should make a move.

Washington lost major depth down the middle when last year’s No. 2 center, Mike Ribeiro, signed with Phoenix in free agency. Ribeiro had 13 goals and 36 assists during the regular season and 49 points were the second most, behind Alex Ovechkin‘s 56, on the Caps and tied for 10th overall in the NHL.

GM George McPhee has indicated Ribeiro’s job would go to Brooks Laich, but Laich has struggled with injuries as of late and appeared in just nine games during the 2013 season.

So, enter Grabovski (reportedly).

Bought out by the Leafs during July’s compliance window, Grabovski will be paid $14.3 million over the next eight years by Toronto, plus what he earns on his new contract.

If he’s serious about wanting to “win something,” he could do worse than signing with the Caps, who have a number of intriguing wingers for Grabovski to play with: Martin Erat, Jason Chimera, Troy Brouwer, Joel Ward and Eric Fehr.

Signing with Washington and sticking in the Eastern Conference would also give him three opportunities to go up against his old Toronto team, something that -- based on this rant -- he’d probably enjoy doing.