Gratton's game on the rise

Gratton has played a decent game the entire year but lately his game has taken a step up. He won 63% of the face offs in NJ and has scored 2 goals in 2 games. I have always liked this trade and I like it even more if he has gotten his head on straight.

I think the Kolanos demotion sent a ripple through the entire roster.

Gratton has played a decent game the entire year but lately his game has taken a step up. He won 63% of the face offs in NJ and has scored 2 goals in 2 games. I have always liked this trade and I like it even more if he has gotten his head on straight.

Some good quotes out of today's AZRepublic article on the Gratton trade:
"He's a heck of a player," Gratton said of Briere. "This team (the Coyotes) really sacrificed a lot to get me, which I'm thankful for, and I'm just trying to find a niche here and get going offensively. But he's fit in nicely over there."
"I don't think it's fair to judge the trade on goals and assists," Briere said. "That's what I'm here for, to bring some offense to the Sabres. But Chris' role is different. They want him to score goals, sure, but what they really needed was a big presence down the middle, which they didn't have in Phoenix.

"They needed a big centerman to win the big faceoffs, who could crash the net. He's doing that, and that's why you can't judge the trade on stats alone."
"To be honest with you, when you get traded for a guy like Chris Gratton, that's a guy every team in the NHL would like to have," Briere said. "He's the classic, big power forward with good skills, the third overall pick (in 1993), and I was thinking the same thing when the Sabres got me.

"I was like, 'Wow, they'd give up Chris Gratton for me?' "
link (http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/1204yotesadv1204.html)

Just a warning, take this with a grain of salt. He's done this in Buffalo before. He was about a point per game player from March 2002 to about mid November spanning those two seasons. It looked like he'd turned into the player everyone thought he'd be. I was hailing it as one of Lindy Ruff's crowning achievements as a head coach. It didn't last and now he's a Coyote. Don't get me wrong, I hope he keeps it up and turns into a dominating player for you, just don't hold your breath.


And here's to a great game tonight.

Just a warning, take this with a grain of salt. He's done this in Buffalo before. He was about a point per game player from March 2002 to about mid November spanning those two seasons. It looked like he'd turned into the player everyone thought he'd be. I was hailing it as one of Lindy Ruff's crowning achievements as a head coach. It didn't last and now he's a Coyote. Don't get me wrong, I hope he keeps it up and turns into a dominating player for you, just don't hold your breath.


And here's to a great game tonight.

That's been his modus operandi every stop on his career. We'll see what happens. He has been playing fairly well (despite the scoresheet) all season, and I've been pleasantly surprised by his defensive commitment...

And let's hope for a 7-6 PHX win.... ;)

Just a warning, take this with a grain of salt. He's done this in Buffalo before. He was about a point per game player from March 2002 to about mid November spanning those two seasons. It looked like he'd turned into the player everyone thought he'd be. I was hailing it as one of Lindy Ruff's crowning achievements as a head coach. It didn't last and now he's a Coyote. Don't get me wrong, I hope he keeps it up and turns into a dominating player for you, just don't hold your breath.


And here's to a great game tonight.
I understand that, but Gratton wasn't brought in here to score points. he is now scoring goals because he was promoted to the 2nd line with wingers Savage and Radivojevic. Gratton's game was good before his recent goal scoring streak but because his wiongers where not some of the better offensive players on the team he wasn't getting the scoring chances. But since he has been playing solid, Francis promoted him and presto! 3 goals in 3 games.

I understand that, but Gratton wasn't brought in here to score points. he is now scoring goals because he was promoted to the 2nd line with wingers Savage and Radivojevic. Gratton's game was good before his recent goal scoring streak but because his wiongers where not some of the better offensive players on the team he wasn't getting the scoring chances. But since he has been playing solid, Francis promoted him and presto! 3 goals in 3 games.


I was never that ticked off with his play. I wish he'd hit more but I say that pretty much about every player. I thought Gratton played well when he was lined up with Brian Savage and Shane Doan as well. I think he has very good chemistry with Savage. Francis's comments caught me a little off guard but it all goes back to physical involvement. Gratton has the tools to physically dominate a game (see Shane Doan this year) and I think Francis was merely trying to motivate a sleeping giant and that has paid dividends for the team. We need size at center. Gratton is a very good fit.

I was never that ticked off with his play. I wish he'd hit more but I say that pretty much about every player. I thought Gratton played well when he was lined up with Brian Savage and Shane Doan as well. I think he has very good chemistry with Savage. Francis's comments caught me a little off guard but it all goes back to physical involvement. Gratton has the tools to physically dominate a game (see Shane Doan this year) and I think Francis was merely trying to motivate a sleeping giant and that has paid dividends for the team. We need size at center. Gratton is a very good fit.
I agree. Gratton has been playing good most of the year. He is just getting starting to get involved in more scoring chances with better scoring wingers.

I love the make-up of this team ... size, speed and skill ... just missing that one tough as nails enforcer who can take a regular shift without being undisciplined and taking dumb penalties.