Quote:
Originally Posted by Bingo
So do you guys think McGrattan in the lineup makes everyone play a little bigger? Is that still an issue in 2013? I like the guy, and I hear he's great in the room, so is that the angle?
Otherwise all I see is a fourth line that stalls the progression of the other three lines which is frustrating to watch.
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I think it is a combination of things:
1) Other than one BIG mistake, McGrattan hasn't been a liability this year. If he was, I think you would see him benched much more regularly.
2) The Flames are still one of the smallest teams in the league - I think in the bottom 5 or so, IIRC from some list I saw early this season.
3) Flames are a younger team - sometimes you need that kind of support to your youth as they can be bullied out there, and vets especially sometimes get a bit angrier when they see a rookie playing rough.
4) The Flames' system is based on a hard forecheck and work ethic - sometimes can rile up an opponent (though they aren't throwing out the big hits).
5) Hartley loves having an enforcer in the lineup. If he thinks there is real value there (as do other coaches and players - i.e. Iginla always wanted one on the team) then there is a reason for it.
Worst case scenario is that McGrattan gets stapled to the bench all game, and some other player who is running hot gets a few extra shifts as a reward. I never thought that dressing an enforcer means that he needs to come out every shift on the 4th line - though McGrattan seems capable of that somewhat, though offensively challenged. He does take the body and hits harder with more regularity than any other Flames forward at this point.
McGrattan doesn't seem to be any more of an offence killer out there than Galliardi. Galliardi brings hard work and a very good forechecking ability, and also a bit of an instigator out there that annoys the other teams. McGrattan is a guy who 'calms down' the other team somewhat and provides a bit of courage to a young team that is still one of the smallest in the NHL. Until there are legitimately better options, I don't see the point. I wouldn't really want a reasonable scoring line (by today's scratches, Reinhart) having to play against a rugged 4th line that the opposing coach sends over to run guys through the boards to create 'energy' for their team. I would rather Hartley keep utilizing McGrattan to not only help stop that from happening, but to provide a little bit of energy for the Flames.
However, I am probably in the minority. Most people seem to want to see a 4th line of Bouma - Knight - Reinhart or something similar.