Brian McGratton TOI

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by thymebalm

McGrattan is an important part of the Flames chemistry, despite the fact that he doesn't dress for games.

At some point the Flames are going to have to free up that roster spot, and make Grats asst. strength and conditioning coach or something so he's always around the gym, but I think they need to honour his contract this season.

If roster squeeze becomes an issue, you look to move Bollig or you waive him instead. Grats brings more to the squad than him without even needing to lace 'em up.

I agree. Especially with the Bollig position. I would much rather Bollig replaced with Grats when muscle is needed. And I would also prefer having a 4th line of baertschi-stajan-bouma when mcgrattan's muscle isn't needed.

[Iceman90]

I think Grats will be the first guy placed on waivers when everyone gets healthy again, and they want to free up a roster spot for one of the kids.

[Bunk]

There's a great half hour interview on the 960 right now with him. It's clear what a great, unselfish team player he is - even and especially when he's not playing.

It's also telling how glowingly he talks about the team chemistry - you can tell these guys are developing deep bonds and will do anything for one another. Great to hear - and it's really evidenced on the ice.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Iceman90

I think Grats will be the first guy placed on waivers when everyone gets healthy again, and they want to free up a roster spot for one of the kids.

There's no point in freeing up a roster spot for a kid just so that kid can sit in the press box.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Iceman90

I think Grats will be the first guy placed on waivers when everyone gets healthy again, and they want to free up a roster spot for one of the kids.

I hope not

[Geeoff]

I'd play McGratton on the first line with Monohan. If only we still had Jerome.

[stemit14]

I worry some plug on another team will cross a line on one of the kids this season... If that happens I hope mcgrattan is there to lead the charge in a bench-clearing brawl the likes of which has not been seen since the '90s. It would show the whole league how close this team is and how far they are willing to go together. I would welcome the fines/suspensions to follow and wouldn't even be bothered if the team lost the game.

I know it's a part of the game that is long gone but it would be so glorious.

[Hemi-Cuda]

I think at this point he's trying out for a coaching/management role when his contract is up, and I hope the organization finds something for him. Seems like a great mentor to the young guys

[robbie111]

Bollig has had plenty of chances to play on the 4th line. I'd like to see McGrattan play with Baertschi and Stajan for a game and see if they have more chemistry. I think McGrattan is good in the room and you might see him dress more near the playoffs especially if bigger teams are trying to intimidate us.

[The_Behemoth]

Originally Posted by Bunk

There's a great half hour interview on the 960 right now with him. It's clear what a great, unselfish team player he is - even and especially when he's not playing.

It's also telling how glowingly he talks about the team chemistry - you can tell these guys are developing deep bonds and will do anything for one another. Great to hear - and it's really evidenced on the ice.

That was a good interview, and he sounds like a pretty great guy.

I also agree on the team chemistry thing. It's a lovely thing to see. I don't know if it was the cause, but after the big dustup in Vancouver last season this team seemed different.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

I think at this point he's trying out for a coaching/management role when his contract is up, and I hope the organization finds something for him. Seems like a great mentor to the young guys

That's what I'm hoping for as well. He seems to be a great person to have around. Make him an assistant strength and conditioning coach or something.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

That's what I'm hoping for as well. He seems to be a great person to have around. Make him an assistant strength and conditioning coach or something.

He wants to join the league’s substance abuse program iirc. Hopefully the Flames keep him here in such a role when the time comes. I think his effect on the kids in that regards is hugely underrated.

[kirant]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

I think at this point he's trying out for a coaching/management role when his contract is up, and I hope the organization finds something for him. Seems like a great mentor to the young guys

I think so too...with the current departure of enforcers from the NHL (Bissonnette and Orr in the AHL, Parros retiring, Westgarth out of North America), it seems like McGrattan isn't going to play much in the remainder of his career and I suspect that he might not get a contract after this for any other reason but character.

[Jay Random]

I suspect McGrattan’s next contract will be for a coaching job.

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by btimbit

He wants to join the league’s substance abuse program iirc. Hopefully the Flames keep him here in such a role when the time comes. I think his effect on the kids in that regards is hugely underrated.

That would be an excellent choice. I seem to remember someone talking about how players would come up to him on ice and seek him out for a conversation about their substance issues after the game. He seems to have a LOT of respect from other guys.

[wretched34]

Did McGrattan kill the tough guy role?
He's the undisputed heavyweight of the NHL, and in recent years, there have been fewer and fewer opponents for him. I wonder if it's simply because guys know, if they want a contract based on being a tough guy, they have to get pummeled by McGrattan every now and then, and it's just not worth it to them anymore? It's like the first day of high school, there's a handful of Freshman that show up, acting tough, but are quickly tuned in by the Senior in charge, and they all disappear. Could it be, when McGrattan retires, there is a resurgence of the tough guys in the NHL, or does the role live and die with him at this point.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by wretched34

Did McGrattan kill the tough guy role?
He's the undisputed heavyweight of the NHL, and in recent years, there have been fewer and fewer opponents for him. I wonder if it's simply because guys know, if they want a contract based on being a tough guy, they have to get pummeled by McGrattan every now and then, and it's just not worth it to them anymore? It's like the first day of high school, there's a handful of Freshman that show up, acting tough, but are quickly tuned in by the Senior in charge, and they all disappear. Could it be, when McGrattan retires, there is a resurgence of the tough guys in the NHL, or does the role live and die with him at this point.

It's a dead role. Look at every Stanley Cup winner for the past decade, nary a goon among them. The closest you get is a guy like Bollig on the Hawks or Thornton on the Bruins, but both of those guys are still more hockey player than fighter. There are far too many teams in the league capable of rolling 4 full lines to waste a roster spot on a heavyweight, with the speed of the game as it is I don't see them making a comeback

[Stay Golden]

Disappointed Grats did not stand up for players getting knocked around by Scott but especially Burns when he cross checked Johnny to the ice.
This was Grats time to show why he is here and he did nothing about it. He didn't even confront Burns.
Johnny and Byron were getting slashed all game and Grats made no attempt to settle things down.

[Inglewood Jack]

Yeah Grats, go out there and rough up some Sharks, take a couple penalties, and help stifle the Flames comeback effort even more. Nuclear deterrent!

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

Disappointed Grats did not stand up for players getting knocked around by Scott but especially Burns when he cross checked Johnny to the ice.

This was Grats time to show why he is here and he did nothing about it. He didn't even confront Burns.

Johnny and Byron were getting slashed all game and Grats made no attempt to settle things down.

I agree. Really wish he would have done something about burns. Though I'm not sure if Hartley ever put him out against him. Still... Would have liked to have seen more of a presence from Grats after sitting for 7 games and being a home game.