A long strange trip for Gratton

No doubt you all recall the fuzzy fax. That was what then-general manager Phil Esposito, knowing he could not match the Flyers' $9-million offer sheet for Chris Gratton, claimed was the problem when the offer sheet came into the Lightning's offices. While that is a painful moment in Lightning history, current general manager Jay Feaster said his painful moment came in March 2000, when GM Rick Dudley traded Gratton (whom the Flyers found less than stellar and sent back to Tampa Bay) to the Sabres as part of the deal to get Cory Sarich.

Feaster, who brought Gratton back to the Lightning on Wednesday by trading a second-round draft pick to the Panthers (this year's or next, it's Florida's option), said he never lost contact with Gratton, catching up with him after at least five of the eight games the teams play each season.

"Chris and I had a great relationship,'' Feaster said. "It's not like we were best buddies but we communicated. Grats knows this management team and this coaching staff really wants him. Torts is pumped.''

As for Gratton, he said Thursday that he always kept track of the Lightning -- something about always being close to the team that drafted you. And as he said about Feaster's interest, "It means the world to me. I met him at a young age. I followed his career, watching him build a team there in Tampa. And when they won (the Stanley Cup), I was just as excited to see what those guys went through and see what they learned. So, I've always had close ties to the Lightning franchise. I always enjoyed playing there.''

It will be interesting to see how Gratton fits in. He is expected to play on the third line with Jason Ward on right wing and either Andreas Karlsson or Nick Tarnasky on the left. But he also is expected to get significant power play and penalty kill time. And with a 56.7 percent winning percentage last season, he will take some of the pressure off Brad Richards on defensive-zone draws.

Gratton's agent Pat Morris said his client can be even more versatile than that, suggesting that if their are injuries or if the Lightning can't find wings to play on Richards' line, Gratton could move up.

"His natural position always is center,'' Morris said, "but he's a team player and will play where he's asked.''

Regardless of what you thought about Gratton in his first or second go-round with the team, from a strictly hockey standpoint, I like the move. Gratton will be 32 on July 5, not that old, really, and at 6-4, 231, is a big body. He certainly is capable of scoring 15 goals and a Ward, Gratton, Tarnasky line would be fun to watch.

Consider this though: If the Panthers decide to take this year's second-round pick, the Lightning will be without a draft choice in the first or the second rounds. Remember, it sent the 16th overall pick to the Ducks for Shane O'Brien.

But with the team clearly concentrating on winning now, and with what is considered a weak draft, Feaster does not seem concerned. In fact, he said the team likely will not look to move up in the draft.

"We feel we have a window of opportunity and we have to take advantage of it,'' Feaster said. "Whoever we draft this year is three or four years away from having an impact. This is about winning now.''

Comments

[jrstbl]

how about they try boyle on the second line? He's has a better scoring touch and skating ability then most of the fowards on the team.

[Tim A]

Its hard to justify calling a Con Smyth Trophy winner "USELESS." I don't agree that he's worth $7.8 mil a year but thats on the GM not on Brad. Richards may have had an off season. But I'll take him over a Sidney "Whiney Special Protected Baby" Crosby any day. Brad has proven he can play and elevate his game when and where it counts. Give him one more star on his line He will have just as many assist as Crosby. Oh yes, the reason Brad plays the point is that he can skate like a defenseman (except faster) and he neutralizes alot of the break away stuff that comes from pinching in tight on the power play. He is definitely a superstar and would be with any hockey club. Don't let one average season skew your oppinion of Sir Brad.

[Tony]

Mike,

Could not agree with you more. Ritchie's strength is as a playmaker. And I if you look at the chances he generated for just Perrin alone he did not have a bad year. I think with the current CBA you will see players like Richards end up with MAX allowed contracts that they would have not received if not for the CBA. Richards is not a finisher, he will chip in his 20 goals but his strength is setting up his linemates to bury. Now we just need line mates for him that can finish!

[Mike13]

Vickie, I have been very, very critical of the salary that JF decided to pay Richards, but to call him "useless" is just plain nonsense.

#19 is by far our best penalty killer. He was a huge contributor to our Cup run and even brought home the Conn Smythe (MVP of the Playoffs). He was the playmaker behind Marty's awesome year in 03-04.

The fact that his numbers suffered this year are a testiment to the fact that Marty was not playing on his line, finishing the chances that Richards created for his linemates. It is also in large part due to the fact that JF traded Freddy Modin for a horribly disappointing goalie in Denis. When Richards centered Modin and St.Louis, that line had something really special.

Richards was stuck with Fedotenko who all but disappeared on us offensively and Perrin who just couldn't find his scoring touch in his first year in the NHL. Richards' numbers were sadly down all the while he was raking in $7.8M, but in no way is he a "useless" player. That is absurd.

[Josh]

I still say we should make a play for Bill Guerin. Put him on Richie's line and he WILL bury the chances that Richie gives him.

[Rob]

This is a great addition. Finally the Bolts have some depth up the middle behind 19 and 4, and some toughness beyond the fourth line. I can't believe fans are whining over picks? The future is now for the Lightning!

[Vickie]

I think Gratton is going to do great! I am not a big fan of Richards, he's too highly paid and useless. While watching Gratton over the years, I think he'll fit in nicely. This man is like a pretzel LoL. He can probably even play the point for the power plays because Richards can't play defense for the life of him.

[Joe]

There seems to be six or eight bonafide NHL prospects in the draft this year. Beyond these players (unavailable to the Bolts even if they had retained their #1 draft selection), the rest of the draft looks like a crapshoot. Perhaps more interesting is the fact that there will be a virtual flood of attractive free agents entering the market this year, and that could bid down the asking price of many of them. If a few bucks can be found, some immediate help for the Bolts' will be available from that pool. It would seem that the minor leaguers under contract with the Lightning represent somewhat slim pickings and depth will be a problem next year. The Lightning will again depend on having excellent luck with injuries in 2007-8 in order to move farther ahead in the playoffs.

Gratton is exactly the kind of player that Jay Feaster needs to seek out and acquire to fill holes on the second and third lines because he has grit, talent, and desire to win. Chris has those old-time hockey values inculcated in his character, and he is a strong asset to any NHL team that deploys him correctly. He brings veteran leadership qualities to the Tampa Bay table.

I feel confident that this medium's outspoken detractors will be surprised by the strong contribution that Chris Gratton will provide. But, will they objectively and honestly admit that their unkind comments were inappropriate when it happens?