Late Night Musings: Chris Gratton? Update: Gratton clears

by on December 9, 2008 in Uncategorized - 16 Comments

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Hey folks, couldn’t sleep, so I decided to grab a glass of milk and pop on the computer for a few minutes and was privy to some late night “breaking news”. There are unconfirmed reports that Toronto may have put in a claim on the recently waived Tampa Bay Lightning forward, Chris Gratton.

Apparently, an Edmonton radio sports host, Jason Gregor who writes for the “Oilers Nation” site, posted at around 8pm ET that the Leafs had put in a claim.

Later on, Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune, posted a column at about midnight with this little tidbit:

“Also on Monday, the Lightning placed C Chris Gratton on waivers. He has until noon today to clear, although there have been reports that at least one team, believed to be Toronto, has put in a claim for the 33-year-old. Gratton, who signed a one-year contract worth $1.25 million, has not played since Nov. 18, when he was put on the injured reserve with a lower-body injury, which at the time was tendinitis in his knee, although Tocchet said over the weekend that Gratton had an ankle injury.”

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/dec/09/sp-homesick-vrbata-placed-on-waivers/

As mentioned in that excerpt, Gratton has until noon on Tuesday to clear. So I guess we’ll find out around that time, or maybe it’ll be “breaking news” by the time you guys all wake up for work. Who knows. If the claim is indeed true, there’s a good chance that Toronto snags him, considering their position in the standings and their consequent priority in the waiver claim order.

I’ll put up some further thoughts and statistics on this matter later on today if the move does indeed transpire, but on the surface, it looks like the expected Burke style pickup and a solid one at that. Gratton is a big, physical, two-way player and veteran leader who isn’t afraid to occasionally drop the gloves. I’m surprised he was even put on waivers in the first place, but I really have no clue what the heck they’re doing over there in Tampa.

See you all in the morning. “Broke” this story at 2:30am =)

Update:

“Lightning forwards Chris Gratton and Radim Vrbata cleared waivers. Gratton is expected to be assigned to AHL Norfolk, and Vrbata likely will play for a team in his native Czech Republic.”

http://blogs.tampabay.com/lightning/

Guess it was all for naught. Too bad. The Chris Gratton era in Toronto is over before it even started.

Always a pleasure,

Alex Tran

[email protected]

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  • wregget

    Isn’t Chris Gratton a “poor man’s” Mark Bell??? Granted, Gratton could probably take a punch better than Bell (see Bell fight against Ryan Malone 01/03/08), but I don’t see much else he brings to the table. If this claim happens, it makes no sense to me???

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  • Blair

    After watching a couple of Marlies last night, I would much rather watch more of them than someone’s sloppy seconds. Too soon?

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  • Hockey_Guru

    hahahaha good one Blair hahahaha

    Let’s hope this means trades are coming.

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  • Burn

    The leafs already have 4 centers that are better than Gratton, and probably some Marlies that are better too. He’s too old and broken down to be effective anymore. I don’t like this move, if they pick him up. I guess it would signal a trade coming soon.

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  • wregget

    I would have liked this move……….. 13 YEARS AGO!

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  • hockey_guru

    It might not be such a bad thing. Atleast he is kinda tough. If we are going to sink to the bottom this year, I’d like to see it done with a fight… literally. If this means a trade is coming, I am all for it.

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  • http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com Pension Plan Puppets

    Who do you move out of the lineup for Gratton? And if you trade then who do you send out?

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  • Hockey_Guru

    Stajan

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  • Jon

    Stajan…poni, antropov, Moore,

    Take your pick…in order for the leafs to make some of these moves they will need to take on short term salary because of the floor…. and gratton fits the bill but I’m still not sure if they will but look for burke to get some salary in here first.

    Tough, gritty and a UFA at the end of this season…

    If.. for example Burke wants to move Kaberle and Kubina, we would be 1.25 mill under the floor… which is how much Gratton is making ….. hmmmm lolol just joking… That wouldn’t be the soul reason but we do need to take on some short term cap if we wanna move these players

    People keep saying move Kaberle, Kubina , Antropov, Poni, Stajan, and Tosk for picks ….but you would need to take on about 10 million from somewhere else.

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  • wregget

    Is it me, or does Jeremy Williams not deserve a shot with the Leafs???

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  • http://admin Alex Tran
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  • betterforsome

    Phew. Not that it would have been the end of the world or anything, but I think we’re all glad this was just a rumour.

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  • Matt

    Gratton is terrible. Best thing he was ever involved in was the trade for Briere. Pinnacle of his career.

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  • goldenleafs

    lol at Blair.. too funny…

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  • Blair

    Gratton clears but we’re not out of the woods yet, maybe Burke will pick him up on re-entry for half price. If the Leafs trade Stajan and Antropov and would rather let the Marlies make a run for the championship then ok, Gratton is fine. But don’t pick him up hoping he helps this team – he’d just be a stop gap.

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