Mikhail Grabovski isn’t complaining.

“See my smile,” said the Maple Leafs centre after a shootout loss to the New York Rangers. “I’m not frustrated at all.”

He isn’t bothered by playing on the 4^th line with noted tough guys Colton Orr and Frazer McLaren.

“It doesn’t matter who I play with,” said Grabovski, who played just 11:00 while firmly entrenched in coach Randy Carlyle’s doghouse. The game before (also against the Rangers) he played a season low 10:39, while being benched for much of the 3^rd period.

“I just want to play. On the ice I’m happy.”

Yet here was Grabovski, asked to take part in the shootout. His attempt fell short.

When he was asked if he was surprised to be shooting, he replied, “Not really. Are you surprised?”

Actually Mikhail, yes, yes I was.

Is this a relationship that is beyond repair?  Grabvoski said he doesn’t speak much to Carlyle but rather “the 2^nd coach” (Assistant Greg Cronin).

For his part, Carlyle said he was pleased with Grabovski’s game in New York and gave him more shifts in the 3^rd period, after being used sparingly in the 1^st two periods of the game.

“I thought he played fairly well,” surmised Carlyle. “I thought he was on the puck, showed more desire and more effort out there, and he was very noticeable out there.”

This has been a trying time for Grabovski, who last year signed a 5-year, $27.5 M deal. The fire, passion and tenacity we have seen in his game in past years under Ron Wilson has been missing.

He was a fixture last year on the Leafs second line, averaging 17:36 of ice-time a game last season. He was often matched up against the team’s top lines.

This year he is averaging 16:00 of ice-time a game and has become more of a 3^rd line player.

The Leafs need Grabovski to return to form soon, as the team looks to be a tough out in the playoffs, should they get in.

Carlyle has shown to be consistent in his demand for his players to be at their best at all times. John Michael-Liles was a healthy scratch for 12 games. Jake Gardiner has been used sparingly and Matt Frattin has lost his place in the lineup.

It doesn’t matter what experience you have or how much money you make (Grabovski is the highest paid forward on the Leafs) if you don’t perform you don’t play.

No one knows that better right now than Mikhail Grabovski.