TSN’s Bob McKenzie brings news of an interesting development:
NSH trades Brian McGrattan to CGY.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 28, 2013
Joe Piskula is who CGY sent to NSH for McGrattan.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 28, 2013
Piskula is a 28-year-old defenseman with 10 games of NHL experience (none this season). He will presumably head to Milwaukee.
McGrattan had just recently been assigned to the Milwaukee Admirals after clearing waivers, and you might ask why the Flames wouldn’t have just picked up McGrattan on waivers. One factor could be the Reserve List, which is capped at 50 players for each team. As of this morning, CapGeek showed Calgary at 49 players, so perhaps by returning something to the Preds via trade, they still leave themselves a little breathing room there. For McGrattan, it’s a chance to return to the team he played 34 games for in the 2009-2010 season.
Bon Voyage, Big Ern.
The following release comes from the Predators:
Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has acquired defenseman Joe Piskula from the Calgary Flames for forward Brian McGrattan. Piskula will report to the Predators primary developmental affiliate, the American Hockey League’s Milwaukee Admirals.
Piskula, 28 (7/5/84), has 10 points (2g-8a) and 51 penalty minutes in 46 games for Calgary’s AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Heat, in 2012-13. A professional since the completion of his collegiate career in 2007, the Antigo, Wis., native has played in 10 career NHL games with Los Angeles (2006-07) and Calgary (2011-12), going scoreless and posting eight penalty minutes. In 370 career AHL contests with the Flames and Kings organizations, Piskula has 70 points (8g-62a) and 320 penalty minutes.
The 6-3, 214-pound blueliner played 112 games during a three-year career at the University of Wisconsin from 2004-07, posting 22 points (3g-19a) and 80 penalty minutes. In 2006, he helped the Badgers claim the NCAA title.