Chris Gratton re-signs in Tampa

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=16198

Confirmed by sportsnet.ca as well - http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/signings_2008/

This is unbelieveable. They have like 17 forwards now.

[marcaractac 3,963]

Yeah, too bad they traded their best Dman. they have a real good crop of forwards, but unless they can pull out some solid defense, they won't get very far. They'll do good enough to make the playoffs though.

[ProfessorLidstrom5 0]

Gratton along with Gelinas would be the only 2 guys I would have wanted the Wings to get to replace Drake. Good move by TB.

[Rivalred 630]

Melrose is going to play 4 forwards per line I am thinking

[Zeta Power 40 1]

Melrose is going to play 4 forwards per line I am thinking

haha thats funny. They have no Defense and they are going to rely on Olie the goalie....I don't think so.

[Guest Dump-N-Thump]

creates some good competition, im sure theyll try and wheel and deel some guy still

[Doggy 130]

Tampa Bay's current roster is the most absurd I've ever seen.

[redwinger4747 6]

Tampa Bay's current roster is the most absurd I've ever seen.

I agree. Their offense is probably in the top 5 in the NHL, while their defense/goaltending combo is dead last I'd say. I think their ownership just wants to win 8-6 every game for more excitement. I honestly would not be all that surprised to see them get into the playoffs on offense alone in like the #7 or #8 slot. I also would not be at all surprised to see them finished dead last again.

[stud_defenseman 1]

10 bucks says I know where Lilja is going.

According to the team they are definetely going to be making some changes on the back end.

Our D Sucks Balls

Give Paul Ranger a few more years and he will be a kickass D-Man, but he isn't ready to lead a team at this point.

Edited July 12, 2008 by stud_defenseman

[skacore 2]

10 bucks says I know where Lilja is going.

It's pretty sad that none of their signed D-men would even break our top 4.

Ranger, Kuba, Carle are alright, but none of them are top 1 or 2 defensemen, you can't expect any of them to be successful logging like 25 minutes a game. Ranger will be really good in a few years, but he isn't ready to be leading a team's defense.

I'll take that bet if you have paypal, I'll give you 2/1 odds.

[stud_defenseman 1]

haha, I dunno about that...come to think of it they will probably be in the market for someone better. Lilja wouldn't be much of an improvement.

[skacore 2]

haha, I dunno about that...come to think of it they will probably be in the market for someone better. Lilja wouldn't be much of an improvement.

lol

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

10 bucks says I know where Lilja is going.

According to the team they are definetely going to be making some changes on the back end.

Our D Sucks Balls

Give Paul Ranger a few more years and he will be a kickass D-Man, but he isn't ready to lead a team at this point.

Thye don't need Lilja.

They already have Roy, O'Brien and Koci, as well as several other middleweights. A team can only carry so many enforcers on one lineup.

[Guest Shoreline]

Melrose must be thinking, "if I can't pull it off this year, f*** it".

[Wingsfan4life19 26]

If I remember correctly, didn't Pittsburgh do this same thing? After they drafted Crosby, they signed a bunch of other players such as: Leclair, Recchi, possibly Gonchar (not sure). Although Pittsburgh also had some more high draft picks, but I find it bizarre how Tampa is doing the same thing after drafting Stamkos. We'll see how this plays out.

Edited July 12, 2008 by Wingsfan4life19

[Kp-Wings 3]

This whole situation with Tampa has gone from weird and completely insane to interesting and pretty damn funny. I can't wait to see how a team that has arguably one of the best forward crops in the league, yet absolutley no defense or goaltending to speak of, will finish in the season standings.