[News] Brian McGrattan clears waivers

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Will they mutually agree to terminate his contract so that McGrattan can get involved with the league's substance abuse program?

He wasn't on unconditional waivers for the purposes of contract termination/outright release.

[FBI]

At least he's still Calgary property! Would have been brutal seeing him play with another Western Canadian team or something.

[Jacks]

The era of the enforcer is officially over when the reigning heavyweight champ, who can actually play and carries a 750K cap hit, clears waivers.

[PIMking]

Please for the love of god buy out his contract and keep him as a Calgary rookie mentor. shoot the NHL could even use him to help the rookies and those who may have the same issues in the league.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

@Fan960Steinberg: Regarding McGrattan on waivers, Treliving says it was one of the hardest decisions he's had to make in his professional career. #Flames

I dont doubt it. Everyone loves the guy but we dont have enough roster spots and he was a player that wasnt playing.

It sucks to see him go.

[Racki]

Originally Posted by Jacks

The era of the enforcer is officially over when the reigning heavyweight champ, who can actually play and carries a 750K cap hit, clears waivers.

Who's left at this point? John Scott? Gadzic doesn't play a bunch.

[Travis Munroe]

I would love to see the NHL take Gratts on as a mentor under the substance abuse program as he seems to passionate about it. It would also be incredible to see a mentor position for him with the flames .

[sureLoss]

Randy Sportak @SUNRandySportak
#Flames sending McGrattan to Adirondack Flames.

Calgary Flames @NHLFlames
As per Brad Treliving, Brian McGrattan has cleared waivers and will be assigned to the @AHLFlames.

[Racki]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Randy Sportak @SUNRandySportak
#Flames sending McGrattan to Adirondack Flames.

Calgary Flames @NHLFlames
As per Brad Treliving, Brian McGrattan has cleared waivers and will be assigned to the @AHLFlames.

Like many others I'm a McGrattan fan. I've been clean and sober for many years so I feel a connection to him. Their is a fellowship among those of us in recovery and I truly feel sad that this day has come.

Having said that, I feel certain that McGrattan will go down to the AHL and be an absolutely awesome influence on our kids in Glens Falls.

[Enoch Root]

I really want to see him remain part of the team in some form - in any form. Just keep him in the organization.

[bigbadboss101]

May be he could straighten Gillies out, help him to become more respectful.

[MissTeeks]

“@AAVickers: Bob Hartley with some interesting discussion out of Vancouver today in talking about the role of the enforcer in the NHL (1/2). #Flames”

“@AAVickers: Hartley: "I think the days of having a tough guy sitting at the end of the bench, those days are over because you need to roll four lines."”

“@AAVickers: Hartley (cont): "To be able to play on both sides of the puck, to play at a high pace, will definitely be a key in moving to the playoffs."”

[sureLoss]

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=748022

The decision to assign veteran winger Brian McGrattan to the Adirondack Flames was one of the hardest choices Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving has had to make during his tenure with the club.

"We really didn't talk a lot about it yesterday -- we wanted to go through the process -- but really the primary piece of this is getting Brian playing again," Treliving said. "He's been out for a long time. We wanted to get him back out on the ice playing some games.

"I talked to him yesterday and that was a difficult discussion because of the respect we have for Brian. This is an excellent man, a big part of the DNA in our group. Him going down there right now -- as I told him this morning -- this isn't the end and we'll never see from him again. He's going to go down there, he had an excellent attitude and we'll see where it goes."

Treliving and the Flames management put a lot of thought into the decision, trying to figure what the best possible solution for all parties was.

McGrattan, who has 317 NHL games on his resume, has not suited up for a game Dec. 6 and has been limited to just eight games with the Flames this season. Knowing he would see more game action with Adirondack and would be able to provide a steady veteran presence to the Flames' AHL affilaite, Treliving felt it was the best choice.

"Like a lot of things, it's the apprehension leading up to the decision. When you sit out night-after-night it's sort of what could happen? We had a long talk -- yesterday when he was put [on waivers] -- and it was emotional, quite frankly. I've got a lot of respect for him and I think he knows how we feel about him and likewise for him to us.

"At the end of the day it's a hard decision for us to say, 'Brian, you've got to get playing'. He realized it. You can't sit out for 20 games or whatever it's been and expect to get out there. It didn't come as a shock. He's going to go down there with a great attitude, he's going to support the younger players down there. The other part is he's got to get back playing and back up to speed."

Adirondack is in action today but McGrattan's debut may not come for a little while.

"Now that he's going to the States there is some immigration paperwork [that needs to get done]," Treliving explained. "It may take him a couple of days before he is actually physically moving. From a roster perspective, we'll be doing that today."

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Dunno why this bothers me more than JBo, and possibly even Regehr and many other bigger moved. Massive human element to this

[DionTheDman]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jahrmes

Dunno why this bothers me more than JBo, and possibly even Regehr and many other bigger moved. Massive human element to this

Likewise. Kinda feels like an Andrew Ference situation where on paper, it seemed like a good idea to move the player, but the morale of the team took a big hit for a long time.

[GreenLantern]

Meh, whatever, this just sets up his triumphant return when the team is injured and slumping, battling for that last playoff spot. Nothing would boost morale more than Big Ern stepping back into the line up to strengthen a battered roster.




Look in those eyes and tell me I am wrong!

[schteve_d]

It feels like putting a dog down, though not quite as final I suppose. Yes, it may be the right decision but it doesn't make it any easier!

If this is the end of his playing career, I really look forward to him sticking with this club in some capacity. I really think he has been a strong force in that locker room in bringing this young club to where it is right now.

[browna]

Sounds like they're leaving the door open for a return, but he needs playing time to see if he can get in the proper shape to be playing at the level Hartley wants.
Plus, lets see where the Flames are in a month and a half or so. Playoff possibilities are better known obviously, of course injuries play a factor.

At very least, I am sure he'll be back for a few games at very least, before the end of the season.

And, the Conroy waiver demotion, to all involved, himself and teammates, was a lot more shocking (and handled in a classless manner at the time by you-know-who) an end to a Flames and NHL career...

[foshizzle11]

I think having him in Adirondack will be really good for the young guys playing down there. He can be a positive leader and likely a loud one. It is a tough one but I don't think anyone is surprised by it.

I hope he finishes his career in our system and then joins the flames somehow in player mentoring/development.

Great guy! We will miss you Big Ern.

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=748022

Read that, then read this thread:

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=141913

and in particular read post #8 in that thread.

sigh.... makes me sad.