j.hoop 64 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=410397 The Columbus Blue Jackets have claimed center Chris Gratton off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning, club General Manager Scott Howson announced February 21. Gratton, 33, has collected two assists and 10 penalty minutes in 18 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning this season. He has added 3-12-15 and eight penalty minutes in 24 games with Norfolk of the American Hockey League. Tampa Bay's first pick, third overall, in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, he has registered 214-353-567 and 1,636 penalty minutes in 1,086 career games with the Lightning, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Phoenix, Colorado and Florida. He played the 1,000th game of his NHL career against the Ottawa Senators on March 22, 2007. He has added 8-7-15 and 82 penalty minutes in 40 career Stanley Cup playoff games. Prior to his professional career, the Brantford, Ontario native notched 82-93-175 and 162 penalty minutes in 120 career games with Kingston of the Ontario Hockey League. He recorded 27-39-66 and 37 penalty minutes in 62 games in 1991-92 en route to being named OHL Rookie of the Year. He has recorded 1-5-6 in 15 career games at the World Championships and helped Canada win the gold medal in 1997. He also had 2-2-4 in seven games during the 1993 World Junior Championships, helping Canada claim the gold medal. The Blue Jackets return to action tonight when they host the Anaheim Ducks. Face-off at Nationwide Arena is set for 7 p.m. ET. Live coverage on FOX Sports Ohio HD will begin with the Blue Jackets Live pre-game show starting at 6:30 p.m. The game will also broadcast live on the Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Blue Jackets Radio Network and flagship stations WBNS-AM, Sports Radio 1460 The Fan and WWCD-FM, CD101 beginning at 6:30 p.m. seems like a quality pick up to me, discuss Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thedisappearer 291 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 Can't hurt any. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
j.hoop 64 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 Can't hurt any. exactley what i was thinking Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
esteef 2,679 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 He'd look good on our 4th line. esteef Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Mule 0 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 Good pickup. Gratton is a quality energy player that every team needs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 Good pickup. Gratton is a quality energy player that every team needs. Yeah, there was no way he'd make it very far through the waiver-wire without being picked up. They knew someone would take him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 Yeah, there was no way he'd make it very far through the waiver-wire without being picked up. They knew someone would take him. Gratton already cleared waivers once this year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xBrave_Heartx 0 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 Word is that they picked him up, becuase there going to trade 2 roster players and an AHL player to Ottawa for Spezza Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skacore 2 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 Word is that they picked him up, becuase there going to trade 2 roster players and an AHL player to Ottawa for Spezza that's the "word"? or is that what some rando posted on a message board somewhere Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 Good pickup. Gratton is a quality energy player that every team needs. We don't. We have plenty of players like him on our 4th line. I wish. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheUkrainian 49 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 that's the "word"? or is that what some rando posted on a message board somewhere ..everybody knows that the bird is the word. I love this time of year, all these trades going on and stuff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puckbags 863 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 Why everytime that Gratton gets traded everyone says that he's a quality pickup? The guy has been traded like 10 times. There must be something wrong with him if he can't stick with a team for more than 1-2 seasons at a time!! He's a mediorce NHLer at best. I dont know if he is a bad locker room guy or he likes to bang the coaches daughters and wives but there has to be some reason this guy cant stick with a team . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 Why everytime that Gratton gets traded everyone says that he's a quality pickup? The guy has been traded like 10 times. There must be something wrong with him if he can't stick with a team for more than 1-2 seasons at a time!! He's a mediorce NHLer at best. I dont know if he is a bad locker room guy or he likes to bang the coaches daughters and wives but there has to be some reason this guy cant stick with a team . He actually started out his career pretty well, but yeah he has been passed around a lot. I don't know why teams don't like him? He's a great 3rd or 4th line player, great size, amazing on faceoffs, and sticks up for his teammates. Who knows, maybe your theory on why he's been passed around is right. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 He actually started out his career pretty well, but yeah he has been passed around a lot. I don't know why teams don't like him? He's a great 3rd or 4th line player, great size, amazing on faceoffs, and sticks up for his teammates. Who knows, maybe your theory on why he's been passed around is right. He's so great that he got waived by a crappy Tamba Bay Team? huh? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vincanni 1 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 Wouldn't be a season nearing the trade deadline without Gratton switching a team. Quality pick up for Columbus. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
#18 the _Hoss_ 2 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 He was good with FLA ...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 He's so great that he got waived by a crappy Tamba Bay Team? huh? They didn't really need him since they aren't going anywhere this season. Wouldn't be surprised to see them dump more players, even some of their best ones. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
