QOTD: McGrattan's future with the Flames

[Bingo]

The big man has only dressed for half the games so far this season, and has sat the last two.

What do we make out of this?
Was he the last guy to pick up the flu on the roster?
Have the Flames moved slowly to the non fighter movement in the NHL?
Replaced by Bolig?
Or my personal favourite ... team is using fourth line players as key penalty kill personnel and can't afford to sit say Bouma and not have that option.

[Racki]

I think we're seeing the beginning of the end of the true heavyweight. I don't think we're on the verge of seeing fighting being eradicated but the new tough guy will have to be able to play ten minutes a game and score 8-10 per season. All this without being an absolute liability defensively.

[codynw]

I think it's a combination of things keeping him out of the lineup. Mostly, I think Bollig and Engelland have his role covered while also being better players.

[Resolute 14]

What you take out of this is the fact that last year was an aberration for McGrattan. Last year was the first season in his career where he played over 60 games, and only the third where he played in as many as half of his team's game. Great a guy as he is, McGrattan has always been a guy who spends half his time in the press box.

I also expect that this may be his last year with the Flames, but not for any anti-fighting reasons. Simply because Bollig is the succession plan for that role.

[JiriHrdina]

I hope its B.
He isn't a good player. He is a great fighter but that matters less and less. And I think he's great in the room.
But he isn't a good NHL player - probably one of the worst

[Yrebmi]

Combination of 4 and need.
Should Hartley feel the need for the Big Ern factor outweighs the upgrade in play to Bolig's game, it's a great option to have.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

The closest option for me was Replaced by Bollig.

It's really a combination of things though. Some nights Hartley will want to dress Bollig and McGrattan where we may need less penalty killing and more toughness.

I don't think we'll see Bollig benched for McGrattan unless he stops putting the puck towards the net or starts losing scraps. It's true that Bollig is a fighter who can still contribute to the game and not be a liability on the ice.

At the same time, I'd like to see McGrattan stay with the flames even if he only plays 1/4 of the games. The organization owes him that much.

[Enoch Root]

I think being in the press box, there when you need him, is exactly how McGrattan should be handled.

I don't see a problem here at all.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Went with replaced by Bollig, but really mean his roster spot has been filled by Bollig. Upgrade on skill, but still a physical presence.

[SuperMatt18]

I think he is the 14th forward, and that means he doesn't play most of the time.

He is around just in case we play a team with a fighter, or a bigger more physical team. Plus he is great in the locker room so you keep him around.

Guys like that you want as your 14th forward since they aren't really hurt by sitting in the press box.

[Street Pharmacist]

Interesting stat. McGrattan has 10 career NHL goals, 8 of them with the Flames (only played here 3 years). The other two came in his rookie season with Ottawa.

He's not much of a hockey player, but I feel bad saying that because he's an easy guy to cheer for

[mrdonkey]

Replaced by Bollig and Engelland. Those guys can throw down and still play hockey, Grats can't. That's pretty much the long and short of it.

[agulati]

The players above him in the chart are earning their keep. Makes it tough to dress him over Bollig, Bouma and Stajan

Also if one of the top 6/9 get injured we have Setoguchi/Jones who can fill those spots better. The only player I can see him being replaced with is potentially Bollig.

[Komskies]

I choose option 5. He's scratched right now because we've been playing soft teams without a heavyweight. He'll find his way back into the lineup as we face tougher opponents.

[DoubleF]

I think McGrattan is a backup plan + insurance policy against goons. Not suiting up for all games isn't necessarily a bad thing. Morale wise, he's there for practice I presume. He's kind of like a Setoguchi insurance role? but for a completely different reason.

I think his career ends with Calgary. We would keep him around to mentor/just to keep him out of other team's hands. I could see him being a trainer or something afterwards (not sure if would be for Calgary) or NHL program work.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I hope its B.
He isn't a good player. He is a great fighter but that matters less and less. And I think he's great in the room.
But he isn't a good NHL player - probably one of the worst

Love the guy, but he's just not an NHL calibre skater. He can't keep up.

[bax]

After he's finished his playing career I think he could be an excellent option to be groomed into a player development role. Especially with his background. And by my guess, I'd say this guy is a Calgary Flame for life.


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[scotty2hotty]

If it is the beginning if the end of Big Ern (and of the heavyweight in general) do we see any room for him within the organization in another capacity?

I am also of the opinion that he brings little to nothing on the ice ....but gosh darn it ..... I just like having the guy on our team.

Edit: lol, beaten by a heartbeat by Bax

[DoubleF]

I suddenly wonder if McGrats would be more than happy to be sent to Addy AHL to mentor/help train our farm if the talent/roles in Calgary pushes him out. Hell, moving him into player + player development in Addy before being brought up here might really allow both our teams to grow better.

[Resolute 14]

Gotta say, the people voting "following elimination of fighting" are voting based only on wishful thinking.