Topic: What to do with McGrats?

[Russell]

There's been alot of talk about what to do with McGrats when Spezza and Fisher return. Do we move him? Send him down? I say no, keep him. Yes, I know there's no room for him. Yes, I know we could use the cap space. But the team loves him and with Chara gone, losing Grats would leave Neil as the sole tough guy. Do we want to see Neil slide back into that role? NO way! I think losing him would be a bigger blow than we think and things are going too well now. Bite the bullet and Mucks, and keep him in the press box. You never know when you'll need him and the team will appreciate it. :BEER:

[Dagwood]

Well... I guess this article from Today's Sun will shed some light on McGratts Status:

http://www.ottawasun.ca/Sports/Senators/2007/01/27/3459518-sun.html

I couldn't agree more with it.  Yes he may not get much playing time, but even then...Just having him around makes our players BIGGER on the Ice.

I don't need to look much further than Washington to see that Brashear has one roll only.  And that is to intimidate other teams as witnessed last night in thier game against Carolina. Where at 19:12 of the 3rd Period.... Brashear started to goon things up...or at least try.

So long as other teams have this type of player on their rosters for nothing more than to put fear into the oppositions smaller guys...there is a place on our team for McGratts.  He understands his role, his salary hit is minimal and the rewards of having such a player far outwiegh any other argument regardless of if there is a place in the NHL for this type of player or not.

IMO...when he is the last Fighter left in the NHL, that's when he gets cut loose.  Not before 

[bassman]

the Senators cannot subtract McGrattan from the equation.

    

[SzuperChicky]

Would help if the refs let him fight every once and a while ... I've been to quite a few games this season and can't remember the last time I've seen a fight in person this season.

[Furtrader]

when he is the last Fighter left in the NHL, that's when he gets cut loose. Not before

 

[moxie]

Would help if the refs let him fight every once and a while ... I've been to quite a few games this season and can't remember the last time I've seen a fight in person this season.

His last fight was with Colton Orr exactly 1 month ago.

[Broken Bones]

Would help if the refs let him fight every once and a while ... I've been to quite a few games this season and can't remember the last time I've seen a fight in person this season.

I know what you mean. I can't recall what game it was but he didn't do a damn thing and got ejected from the game just because the refs didn't didn't want to see any fights. Ahh yes, the fans in the stands were pissed!

I want to see Grats remain a Senator, and not just for the toughness/fighting. We have seen how Neil has changed his game to become a force on the ice in more ways than one, and he has improved his skating and stick handling abilities, this has ultimately made him a good player to have out on th eice as he also forechecks well. After seeing this change in Neil, i see no reason why the same can not be done with Grats. Would it not be nice to have a few more guys with a fisher like playing style (may not be as skilled) who cost less and yet are assets to the team?

[classmate]

I know what you mean. I can't recall what game it was but he didn't do a damn thing and got ejected from the game just because the refs didn't didn't want to see any fights. Ahh yes, the fans in the stands were pissed!

i say lets get rid of the refs and go back to old time hockey... minus the refs of course!  (JK ....about the refs anyway)

I want to see Grats remain a Senator, and not just for the toughness/fighting. We have seen how Neil has changed his game to become a force on the ice in more ways than one, and he has improved his skating and stick handling abilities, this has ultimately made him a good player to have out on th eice as he also forechecks well. After seeing this change in Neil, i see no reason why the same can not be done with Grats. Would it not be nice to have a few more guys with a fisher like playing style (may not be as skilled) who cost less and yet are assets to the team?

My gut tells me both Hamel and McGrattan will be gone after this year.  I don't like what my gut is telling me but... that's what it's telling me.   

[classmate]

After the article that appeared in the newspaper about how everyone loves Gratts, we know he is probably safe for now.  What does everyone think is going to happen to Hamel?  I think he may end up being traded soon.  I've said all along that Hamel isn't given enough ice time to see what he can really do so maybe a trade, for him, wouldn't be such a bad thing.  Maybe there are other teams that need him more than Ottawa needs him.  Just wondering what you think.   

[OS]

McGratts sits at first when Fisher returns.  Eaves, Kelly and Schubert have moved past the stage where they are alternated out.  Guaranteed there will be injuries sooner than later and a roster spot will open up.   He should still dress for games where the goon potential is there, likely Schubie will sit if the D is healthy. 

[rose]

   With OS.  Eaves, Kelly and Schubert have had the opportunity to play themselves into being relevant to the style of play the team is playing.

As far as Hamel...it would probably be more "humane" to try to deal him for his own career.  However, can he be sent back to Bingo?  Not sure what type of contract heis on...if he had to clear waivers I think there would be a 50/50 chance of him doing so.  After all, not too many teams know much about him other than his scoring prowess in the AHL last season so picking him up might or might not be helpful, depending on who is 'looking' for depth players.  Unfortunately, he hasn't had enough minutes with the Sens to really showcase what he could do, IMHO.

[Russell]

This was Bob McKenzie's article from today. Don't write McGrats off yet!



Don't look now, but the post-lockout NHL is getting on its game face.

Speed and skill are still obviously the watchword's in today's game, but our handy dandy NHL mood ring is indicating "ornery" right about now.

Last week, the Pittsburgh Penguins were thinking about getting some muscle to ride shotgun for Sidney Crosby. Now, by all accounts, it's become much more of a priority, especially after Montreal's Aaron Downey gave Sid a tongue-lashing on the weekend.

But the evidence is there all over the league.

Exhibit A is the New York Rangers' acquisition of Sean Avery. Say no more.

The Boston Bruins are in the market for an "edgy" player.

Zach Stortini has found a home in Edmonton.

The New Jersey Devils feel like opponents have been taking liberties lately so tough guy Cam Janssen has magically re-appeared from the minors.
 
Ditto for the Predators, who felt as though the Anaheim Ducks were not so nice to Nashville defenceman Kimmo Timonen in their last meeting.  Big defenceman Sheldon Brookbank has been called up from Milwaukee.

All of this must amuse Anaheim GM Brian Burke, who has never made any distinction between old-school NHL and the new game. His Ducks are an elite team contending for first place but no team comes close to the Ducks' league-leading 50 fighting majors and Burke couldn't be happier on both counts.

By the way, all of this nastiness, real and imagined, it's not such a bad thing for the new game.

For TSN.ca, I'm Bob McKenzie.

 


 

[OS]

Eaves ankle was still bothering him yesterday afternoon, so McGratts may be in there.  A 100% healthy NHL roster is an irregularity.  Whoever is bumped will be in very soon.

[rose]

   And it is for that odd time that we need him out there that I say we keep McGrattan.  He has fulfilled his end of the 'deal'...he does what he is told to do, sits patiently waiting for ice time, never yaps to the media about how little ice time he gets, is just grateful that he is playing in the 'bigs'.  Besides, I have spent years watching this team and hearing how we don't have any "toughness" in terms of physical strength (we are still working on the mental toughness side of things).  We have had Grats here and, whether he fights or not, whether he will ever ramp it up to Chris Neil's level, etc. I am glad that he is here.  After all, the last couple of games that he has been a healthy scratch, the team did not play full three periods....maybe it is not that Spezza is back, maybe it's because Grats is sitting!!   

[Shredder]

Well said rose... I totally agree with everything you said!

[HeartOfNeil]

I was going to comment on the McKenzie article as well, but Russell beat me to it.

From everything I hear about him, he is well liked by his teammates  He may not play lots of minutes, but you often see shots of him on  talking to other players during the game.  You won't see him sit quietly on the end of the bench too often.  I think he brings that extra leadership to the bench.