Former NY Islanders forward Mikhail Grabovski uses coffee to reveal his favorite linemate
When assembling an NHL roster, chemistry on and off the ice is one of the most important things a coach looks for. Mat Barzal and Bo Horvat have been building that chemistry with the NY Islanders in just over a year, as the search is still on for that third member.
Ten years ago, the Islanders brought in a pair of inseparable players on and off the ice. Mikhail Grobovski and Nikolay Kulemin were both signed by General Manager Garth Snow during free agency, coming off a season where they finished with 79 points - last place in the Metro Division.
The two played only two seasons with the Islanders before a head injury essentially ended Grabovski's time with the Islanders and in the NHL.
Despite their short time together on Long Island, Grabovski and Kulemin's relationship spans far before and after their time playing at Nassau Coliseum.
Grabovski recently revealed, using his coffee and creamer, that Kulemin - along with Clarke MacArthur, were his favorite linemates during his career.
The trio first lined up alongside each other in during the 2010-11 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Though none of their careers were considered "lights out," they all had the best season of their careers during that season.
All three finished with their career high in points (Grabovski 58, Kulemin 57, MacArthur 62), but only lasted three years together in Toronto.
Grabovski and Kulemin's relationship continued on Long Island, with the two still seen together in the current day.
Grabovski recently began his own company called Nitro Hockey. He has been running youth hockey camps in the Toronto Area, posting a video with the caption "Reunited and it feels so good," as Kulemin makes an appearance.
Though Grabovski and Kulemin only spent two seasons together on Long Island, they were part of the team that began to turn the tide from bottom-dwellers to contenders, making the playoffs in their first season with the Islanders, finishing in third place in the Metro Division with 101 points.