QOTD: McGrattan's future with the Flames

[bettman]

Respectfully, Hartley believes McGrattan as tough as he is, cannot skate well enough in todays game. Also those believe he has serious concerns with the skating speed of Stajan and Jiri Hudler.

[Hanna Sniper]

I personaly see as right now Hartley is coaching for a contract, it isn't McGrattan is or isn't in his plans right now but but rather on hold till needed. The Flames have taken a wee step back with their work ethic this season and in return have more speed and some skill... it's a balance and when needed he knows that he has McGrattan ready to go out there and deliverer some bodychecks... and when he does it's increase his teammates finishing checks also...

I don't see it a diminished role but rather the Flames future doesn't ride on the back of McGrattan and the Flames are testing the waters and see what happens, and when they need Big Ern to put in the hard minutes and set the example it's be there

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by BurningSteel

Where's the "We need him for when we play Vancouver" option?

The Canucks have totally dominated the season series between these teams for a while now. I don't know off the top of my head how many times he's dressed against them of late but if he has dressed for most of them you can argue that maybe they don't need him seeing that having a tough guy isn't intimidating the Canucks at the very least and he's often a liability when he has to play a regular shift.

[Ozy_Flame]

See this is why Monahan is not doing well.

[ricardodw]

McGrattan is a victim of the heavy weight honour code.

He does not have enough crazy in him to carry the intimidation to the jerks that need to be cleaned up.

[ForeverFlameFan]

I don't mind McGrattan being signed again, only because he is a forward that is meant to be a 13/14th man. Rather than a prospect sitting in the press box, I am all for McGrattan sitting in there and playing the games where we may need some physicality.

[btimbit]

I'd be thrilled to see him get one more year, as the 14th forward. After that I'm not sure we'd need him.

Plua one more year would make my McGrattan jersey purchase more worthwhile

[#-3]

I think Grats is a guy who can still find work with this team, but he really should be a 45 game guy. While the Flames are lacking high level forwards right now, they are bursting at the seems with depth and have been relatively healthy. And he is really the easiest to scratch. A string of injuries or a couple of trades, and I think He will be back in.

[Vulcan]

The writing was on the wall when we acquired Engelland and Bollig and other enforcers were losing their jobs. We just don't need him as much anymore and will need him even less if Ferland moves up. I like McGrattan a lot but the increase in the quality of players league wide is eliminating the players who are one trick ponies.

[Stay Golden]

Stajan/Bouma can't be scratched because of PK, and Bolig is a LW

Hockey wise it is the right play by the Flames. That and if Grats plays he has to get into a fight early to set the tone for his role. Grats has not shown in the few games he has played that he realizes that is what only makes him effective.
Sad reality because i really like McGrattan but he has to fight or there is little reason to dress him unless a heavy weight is on the other bench.

[Arya Stark]

He really is a terrible skater and player. Jooris fits the fourth line so much better and can actually skate and chip in on both ends of the ice. No brainer to me that McGrattan should see less than 25 games this season. He might still have a role and is great in the dressing room but I just think we put ourselves at a disadvantage when we dress a goon and the other team doesn't have one.

[Ozy_Flame]

[Goriders]

I think we just have too many players right now that are better than him. And fighting has really dropped this year.

They're replacing his spot with a more utilitarian player like Jooris. Who can actually play a regular shift and contribute beyond the intimidation factor.

McGratton still can contribute. But not as effectively as Bouma, Jooris, Bollig ect.

A lot of our newer prospects can take care of themselves too (Ferland, Poirier, Sieloff, Wotherspoon, Jooris, Bouma ect). We don't really need a guy riding shotgun as much now that teh team overall is tougher.

[GioforPM]

Has Gratts fought this year (including preseason)?

[OzSome]

Flames hasn't really played any tough (physical) team early this season that's why Big Ern hasn't play much. I am sure Hartley is saving Big Ern against the Canucks, Anaheim, Kings and other big teams. Sorry I am not saying Canucks are tough and big, they are chippy and annoying and need someone to kicked their b#!t!!

[PantherExtreme]

What teams around the league are still dressing someone for this guy to fight? Maybe that's why he's not getting played.

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

How is this photo not getting more comments? I'm assuming this is part of their Halloween costume, which is epic.

How is Seanohan going to react when his best buddy is pushed off the team? I agree with the sentiment of 14th forward next year on a 1yr contract. After that, give him the chance to work with the team (or Adirondack) in some capacity.

[Fire]

The truck is most likely just to promote the new Dumb and Dumber movie. And Seanohan? Really?

[Tyler]

The van has been driving across North America to promote the new movie coming out next month