TSN’s Bob McKenzie brings your waiver wire news this morning:
NSH claims Brian McGrattan on waivers from ANA. NSH puts Zach Stortini on waivers.
Stortini has been working hard to carve himself a role as an “energy” type of player within the Predators lineup, and if he clears waivers, can be assigned to Milwaukee of the AHL.
After the jump, let’s take a look at the new guy in town, Brian McGrattan…
Brian McGratten definitely suits the “enforcer” role, and his last NHL action came with 34 games for Calgary in the 2009-2010 season, spending all of last year in the AHL. In 182 career NHL games, he has 3 goals, 11 assists, and 395 penalty minutes. Here’s his scouting report for you:
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I’ll be blunt – I’m not a fan of keeping a roster spot open for a pure fighter; at least Stortini could hustle and work the forecheck to some extent. I’ve just never seen anything that leads me to believe that McGrattan can help an NHL team win hockey games. Here’s a less-than-glowing review from SB Nation’s Calgary blog, Matchsticks & Gasoline, following that 2009-2010 season:
Last, and least, the “Dancing Bear” Brian McGrattan. The difference between the Flames’ performance without him in the lineup as opposed to with is significant and speaks to the uselessness of not only him as a player but his entire role on the team and to a lesser extent, in the league. He contributed almost nothing during the 34 games he dressed for this season and the Flames were a full twenty-two points better without him in the lineup and could have had six more points and possibly a playoff berth had he not played at all. His only saving grace is that he played all but one game during the nine-game losing streak and was injured and subsequently scratched promptly following it, because he likely would have been even more detrimental to the team had he continued playing. Thankfully he’s a UFA this summer, but I’m sure there’s an equally ineffectual goon waiting in the wings somewhere.
The Preds’ press release follows:
Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club claimed forward Brian McGrattan on waivers from the Anaheim Ducks. McGrattan is on a two-way contract worth $600,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 at the AHL level.
McGrattan, 30 (9/2/81), has suited up for 182 NHL contests with Ottawa, Phoenix and Calgary since the 2005-06 campaign, posting 14 points (3g-11a) and 395 penalty minutes. The 6-4, 235-pound native of Hamilton, Ont., split the 2010-11 season between Providence and Syracuse of the American Hockey League, notching 15 points (10g-5a) and 153 penalty minutes in 59 games.
McGrattan was selected 104th overall (fourth round) by the Los Angeles Kings in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.
What do you think of these moves?
| Thumbs up | 88 |
| Thumbs down | 340 |