Release the McGrattan

[darthflaminski]

Not sure if it's even possible. But just having him sit on the bench would give the kids some much needed courage. Clearly we can't play the 'big' game against the Ducks and win but there has to be a response or at least the threat of response when Our players like Johnny get crushed. The ducks can do as they please with no threat of any recourse. That's bad news.

Just my opinion.
I'm a flames fan.

And McGrattan rules anywayhow.

[CroFlames]

I applaud your loyalty and will to win, but McGrattan would be detrimental to us winning. Far too slow to stack up against any of the Ducks 4 lines.

I love Big Ern, but it's over for him.

[heep223]

I actually don't disagree with this.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Wolf would be much more effective. Love McGrattan, but it's saddening to say that his time in Calgary is pretty much over.

[N-E-B]

I thin McGrattan's played his last NHL game unfortunately.

[HOWITZER]

No.

[AcGold]

I do not agree. Ern said he's changing his game so he can play, less fighting more skating. Just stand him in front of the net to clear people out.

[Poe969]

Unfortunately I think this would do the opposite. The Flames need someone to score goals, they need to win playing with skill and speed and Ern has neither.

It's far from over yet, the Flames need to keep doing what got them to the second round of the playoffs.

[Drury18]

McGrattan has not practiced or played with an AHL or NHL team in almost 2 months (he left Adirondack in early March and did not return). He is not game ready and would be a detriment to the team on the ice.

If we need to call on a physical presence on the ice, our only choice at this point is Wolf. He is game ready.

[darthflaminski]

Ya. Wasn't sure what Mcgrattan's status was. Too bad. Woulda been nice to have that presence - even if he didn't play a regular shift. Wolf is our only option. But he doesn't bring the fear factor Big Ern does.

Gonna be tuff! But Hartley adapts well.
Go flames.

[Southside]

I agree we're not big enough, tough enough right now. But, looking to MGrattan is looking at the past. In another year or two, we will be bigger, tougher and a contender. Let's not forget we are without Gio and Bouma who provide some more grit. Now we may also be without Ferland. That leaves Bollig and Engelaand. Engelaand is being relied upon for heavy minutes. We have to take whatever the series gives us as experience and look forward to some of the bigger bodies and grit in the pipeline; Kanzig, Hunter, etc.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Drury18

McGrattan has not practiced or played with an AHL or NHL team in almost 2 months (he left Adirondack in early March and did not return). He is not game ready and would be a detriment to the team on the ice.

If we need to call on a physical presence on the ice, our only choice at this point is Wolf. He is game ready.

I know he went home for birth of his child, but he never went back? Do you know why?

[Drury18]

Originally Posted by heep223

I know he went home for birth of his child, but he never went back? Do you know why?

Baby Ern was only born a few day prior to the end of the Adirondack season. By that time, they were already eliminated from the playoffs so he would have been leaving a newborn to basically play 3 meaningless games. He probably chose Daddy duty over flying cross country to play a couple of games that meant nothing. I don't blame him at all.

He left early as Mrs. Ern was having complications and stated he would stay until Baby Ern was born and then spend some time with both and return to the team. The timing just didn't work out to make a return.

[3rd line Grinder]

Originally Posted by heep223

I know he went home for birth of his child, but he never went back? Do you know why?

If i recall correctly, hhis child was born right before the last weekend of the season. He probably felt leaving his family for it wasnt worth it at that point.

On another note, I thought i read somewhere the he was practicing with the hitmen? Anyone else hear this or am i just crazy

[polak]

Wolf is better than McGrattan.

I think you dress Wolf and play him sparsely.

[FBI]

Nah, bring in the wolf.

[CroFlames]

Honestly, I wouldn't even bring Wolf in. He is a bad skater. We can't beat them at their game. We need to play extremely tight defensively and quick transition. It's not pretty, but that's what a team like these needs to do against a team like that. We are outmatched, so we need to outsmart them.

We have Getzy and Perry in their primes with a solid blueline and 4 lines against 5 rookies and a rag tag blueline.

[DionTheDman]

Originally Posted by FBI

Nah, bring in the wolf.

Sheeeeeit, FBI, that's all you had to say!

[Cflames_12.5]

I don't think either would help. Showing the ducks that we want to play a physical crash and bang game will only push them more. We need speed and skill. Playing the physical game will end very badly.

[Reign of Fire]

I like it, at least put wolf in, you gotta push the Ducks back...they were taking too many liberities with our smaller players. There was intent to injure, I think thats why Hartley benched Johnny for the third. If we are going to beat the ducks, we have to get nasty too