Lightning acquire Chris Gratton -- remember him?

The Lightning has acquired center Chris Gratton from the Florida Panthers in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2007 or 2008 NHL Entry Draft (Florida’s option), Executive Vice President and General Manager Jay Feaster announced.

Gratton, the Lightning’s first-round choice (third overall) at the 1993 Entry Draft, played in 404 games with the Lightning from 1993-97 and 1998-00. The 31-year-old served as Tampa Bay ’s captain during the 1999-00 season and recorded 88 goals and 236 points in his two stints with Tampa Bay . He recorded career highs in goals (30), points (62) and penalty minutes (207) in 1996-97 with the Lightning.

A 6-foot-4, 221-pound native of Brantford , Ontario , Gratton spent the previous two seasons with Florida . His best season with the Panthers was 2005-06 when he scored 17 goals and recorded 39 points.  Last year he played in 81 games and netted 13 goals with 35 points while also leading the Panthers in face-off percentage at 51.2 percent.

“Chris Gratton is the ideal third-line center for our hockey team,” Feaster said. “He has great size and strength, he is very good on face-offs, he has excellent grit and is willing both to take care of himself and defend his teammates, he is fearless when standing in front of the net on the power play and he has developed over time into a solid penalty killer as well. We believe Chris brings to our club a host of elements that we need in order to have the depth necessary to continue to be a top caliber team.

"We have been pursuing Chris for some time now, and I honestly thought we were going to be able to get a deal done to acquire him at the trade deadline this past season. While that did not happen, we never lost our interest in adding Chris as an ideal complement to Vinny and Richy as a big, strong, multi-faceted third-line center who shares our organizational commitment to winning. They say in life that 'the third time is the charm' and we truly believe that his third time in a Lightning uniform is going to be a great one for Chris and our team, and we welcome him back to the Lightning family.”

The 14-year NHL veteran has played in 1, 008 career games with Tampa Bay , Philadelphia , Buffalo , Phoenix , Colorado and Florida .  He has 204 career goals and 544 points with 1,549 penalty minutes.  He has also won 55.3 percent of faceoffs dating back to the 2001-02 season. 

During his career, Gratton has recorded seven seasons with 15 goals or more and 11 seasons with 10 goals or more.  He also put together 10 seasons with 30 points or more.  He has played in 40 career playoff games, most recently with Colorado in 2004, recording eight goals and 15 points during his career.  He made his first Stanley Cup Playoff appearance with Tampa Bay in 1996 and recorded two assists in six games.

In 1997 Gratton signed with Philadelphia as a free agent after four seasons with the Lightning.  He played 108 games with the Flyers before being re-acquired by Tampa Bay on December 12, 1998 .  The Lightning then traded him to Buffalo during the 1999-00 season, and after three seasons in Buffalo he went on to play with the Coyotes, Avalanche and Panthers.

 

            

Comments

[Joe]

This is a smart move! Chris had his best years in a Lightning uniform, and seems earger to rejoin the team. Although reference was made to Gratton centering the 3rd line, I hope that Torts considers using him at left wing (although a centerman, he has had some experience playing effectively there) on the St. Louis/Lecavalier line. With Chris'strength on the boards, faceoff skills and toughness that line could be un-freakin'-stoppable.

This could be the best move that Jay Feaster has made since acquiring Sydor from Columbus. On this deal, the GM deserves kudos.

Welcome home #77...we missed ye!

[Another Joe]

I agree. Solid move by Feaster. Gratton will be a solid third line center and help on special teams.

I like they way the team is starting to look. Lets see who else we re-sign and bring in via free agency. But Feaster is off to a great start. Team is going to be alot tougher next year!!!!

[Not a Joe]

I haven't missed him a bit.

And if memory serves he's been an outright disaster every time they've tried to move him to the wing, so I think Center is where he'll stay.

Makes me wonder if Taylor is going to be out for at least the start of the season.

[George]

Taylor really needs to retire and save the lightning some cap room and also give it captain that plays.

[F.T.B.S.]

No, no, NO! Horrible, hideous move.
We're reserving his portrait to print in the next dictionary to illustrate 'underachiever'.
God- this guy is like herpes, we hate life when he's here and he just won't go away. Say hello to the bad old days again.

Torts signed off on this? In-kee-redible. Somebody please tell me it's April 1st.
Rather have a creaky Joe Reekie for an April Fool joke.

[bear]

Man I'm surprised too, only because its 2007.

What are they paying him?

Does Florida get Denis too?

[SarasotaBill]

Joe, I'm with ya there!! I'll gladly fly my "Welcome Back #77" flag next to yours.

Another Joe....I also like the way this team is starting to look. A lot!!!

And George, I just can't see Tails playing this year on this team. The needle only works for so long. That's not to mention the bottom 6 forward positions on this team are getting crowded real fast. The Bolts are more likely to fill those spots with guys who can take some top 6 time if necessary. Tails ain't it.

Please don't get me wrong, Tim Taylor was not only a big part of the Cup team, he played an important part in the maturity of many of the younger guys. But this is an ugly business. It's unkind when it's time to say goodbye.

Look who is cluttering the bottom 6. Roy, Tarns, Craig, Perrin, Karlsson, Ward, Gratton, and maybe Jones, maybe Wanvig, maybe Stewart, and who knows who else. At his age, I don't see him fitting there. The Bolts will likely keep the guys that could, and have, spent time up there and could fill in in a pinch. Players younger, faster, more skilled, you get the picture.

My guess is that when training camp rolls around he gets the Andy offer with a twist. Sorry Tails, ain't happening. Let's do it this way....

Let's put you on IR. Go have your surgery. Has to happen anyway. We'll pay you what we agreed to but it won't count against the cap. If we keep it between us, you can go out with dignity and pride, no one else has to know.

Seems obvious to me but what do I know? I'm just another armchair GM and fan like all of you. And let me say this. If that happened, I would NOT be sitting back with a smile on my face.

We all want to be GM's but how would like the dirty work? Telling a longtime NHL player that he's done on your team? I'm talking about Andy, and maybe Tails. Both sides get crushed in that deal. Ain't pretty, but like they say, business is business.

Between now and training camp the picture can change. I think the signing of Grats signals the end for Perrin here. He's unrestricted and as much as he likes it here, with his best friend of 15 years, he's no spring chicken. He's gotta grab the cash when he can and can anyone of us really blame him? My guess is he will be offered much more money elsewhere. I'd hate to see him go but that's what the signs point to.

I also think it's more than possible that one or two guys get tossed in with others for a top 6 guy. That may keep Tails here for another year.

When I heard JF on the radio talking about this he was clear about Grats being a 3rd line guy and he also said that they still have to address the need for 2 wingers to fill out the top 6. Also, he said there is a need to find another d-man. I didn't hear the entire interview but at no time did I hear "goaltending." That concerns me somewhat but not as much as everyone else here.

The last 2 seasons the Bolts D has flat out sucked and not because of a lack of talent. Ya ya, I jumped on Rammer but with the notion that I wasn't completely sure if it was the "team concept" or Rammers. We'll find out real soon won't we. Sully just might be the right guy to turn that cluster.... mess.... around. Or not! Better D play will be kind to goalie numbers. Always has, always will. Brodeur doesn't get his numbers all by himself. He get's a little help from his buddies.

Personally, I'd feel no more or less comfortable heading into the season with Holmer, Ramo, and Denis, than Holmer, Ramo, and Boutin. Either way, I don't feel warm and fuzzy about either combo but it looks like that is what we'll have. Come on Sully, help these guys out with some good play. If anyone can teach them, you can.

[Jonathan]

Finally!
Well, I may be a bit biased as I think he is an incredible fan favorite and he was one of the first Lightning players I ever met.
Having said that, I will still say that I think this is a great move by Feaster. With Torts and Sullivan behind the bench and getting the entire team to be more physical, he is a perfect fit. Good 2nd line center that will almost assuredly be taking important face-offs at the end of the game, AND, AND, AND - he will go the damn net and park there for as long as it takes.
Welcome home Chris.
Now its time to get a hard-nosed D-man and I will be a happy camper.

[Mike13]

I too get the feeling that this may spell the end of Perrin in Tampa. In my mind, that is not a good thing. I think he played quite well away from the puck. He had great tenacity and was equally good at reading the play and was the cause for quite a few take-aways that led to opportunities for our snipers.

Though, I'm not sure that this spells the end of him here because he's going to get a fantastic deal somewhere else. I think that JF just isn't leaving much room for him. But, enough about how this affects Perrin.

Can we really afford to pay a 3rd line Center $1.5M? Seems like we're overpaying a bit there. Gratton just isn't worth the financial strain that this puts on the situation in Tampa.

[SarasotaBill]

F.T.B.S. I'm shocked!!! I was sure you would like this deal. Hard nose 3rd liner! What's not to like? "Underachiever?" Maybe, but compared to what? We can compare him to another former first round draft pick the Lightning had. Same thing. 3rd overall. Alexander Svitov. How's he working out? Oh....he's bouncing between Columbus's 3rd and 4th lines, Fighting to save his NHL career.

Grats may have not worked out like the Bolts thought when they drafted him 3rd overall. But how many guys do? Were are talking about drafting 17, 18, and 19 year old kids! Kids being the defining term there! The draft is a less than perfect science and a story for another time.

Look at this in it's simplest form. A veteran, 3rd line guy, who brings an attitude, some hands, and some skill to the 3rd line. What's not to like about this?

Forget about what was thought of Grats when he was drafted. That was then, this is now. As of today, he's our best 3rd liner in my book. No future promise but here, the future is today.

[F.T.B.S.]

Well SB, I hate to admit I agree on this one just a wee bit.
He does seem to be a slight upgrade over some of our lads we saw, too often wasting a shift here and there until 'Home Ice' left the Forum.

If nothing else we won't look so gay on face offs.

I'll be sorry to see Perrin go; the irony is, clubs got better when Grats left. (Sure Pho & Phi reek now, but when they initially jettisoned him they improved a little.) I don't think the stinking Sun Cats are kicking themselves this morning. They'll be purring when they use our #2 in '08 for better pickin's.

Ah, I'll get used to it, I guess.

Do we need Roy anymore? How many fistusus' do we need?

[Dana]

"Perrin's no spring chicken."

SarasotaBill, neither is Gratton. In fact, Gratton's 4 months older.

Not sure he's worth a 2nd rounder though, but the Lightning's hands might be tied since they might need to replace Tails and his faceoffs too.

[Tony]

I read on a board that if you take the player's ability and take away the name Gratton most people love this move.

Gratton was not able to carry our team way back then - but you also have to look at his supporting cast. Who was here to help him? Lankgow? Weimer? Zams? Anderson? I liked all these players but they were not the talent we have today.

This is Vinny's and Brad's team (and MSL) and Grats will be a nice 3rd line addition. Jam with a big slap shot and actually plays in front of the net on the PP! Thank God someone will. Craig quit doing it after the injury. Hopefully he will again this season on the second PP team.

Nice move Feaster!

[Tim A]

Gratton isn't the answer that we were all hoping for, but he does give us back allot of toughness in front of the net. Torts will have his hands full with a moody and arrogant personality that often doesn't get along with management and coaches where ever he ends up, this is why he is such a profound journeyman. If he doesn't get under management's skin and does work out, we will have a fine third line center and tough guy to improve our penalty kill for sure. With the NHL like it is now, I believe who ever has the best PK will also have the best inside track to the Stanley cup. Just remember, our PK was dreadful the last 2 years, this is an effort to improve it and I definitely support this decision.

[MaryMercenary]

"Perrin's no spring chicken."

If you put it that way then neither is Marty. There's less than a year between the two of them age-wise. No one would utter that remark about Marty.

Also, someone mentioned putting Gratton on the same line as Vinny and Marty. It's not the first line that needs the help; it's the third. We can't throw everyone on the first line and depend on them for everything. Didn't we learn that from the playoffs? Put Gratton on the third and let's see if we can get some goals out of them.

[Mark]

Feaster's paying a third line center 1.5 mil?

[F.T.B.S.]

Bear said it best, we lost a #2 pick and are still stuck with Denis and his heavy tab.
Couldn't we get old Eddie Eagle for a #2 or Grats for Denis?
The only way the Panthers don't laugh at us is if we pry Jokinen or Bouwmeester from them, and that ain't happening.

Leave those dicks alone and don't deal with the idiot Martin.
Watch how smug and sagacious that dipsh!t looks with our second pick next year.

I get this terrible pain when I think about the money going to #'s 30 and 77 while Artyhukin fumes.
Hope it works out.

[SarasotaBill]

Dana and Mary, I think you missed my point with the spring chicken comment. That was not a knock on Eric. He proved last year that he can play in the NHL. My guess is that he turned some heads around the league. It's also my guess that if he enters the free agent market, someone will make him an offer that doubles his salary. With the addition of Gratton, I don't know if the Lightning are capable, or willing, to pay him that much. It makes all the sense in the world for Eric to explore all of his options.

It's unusual for a guy his age to have just finished his first full year in the league. He spent a lot of years bouncing around the minors, and Europe, making much less than NHL minimum. He has not made millions in his career like many his age. I'm sure he's aware of his birth date and how many more years he has to make money in this league. I'd love to see him in a Bolts uniform next season but both the Lightning and Eric have to deal with their own economic reality. The Bolts only have so much money to go around and Eric has only so many years left to get what he deserves. If the Bolts offer comes up short and Eric runs for the money, can you blame him?

Anyone who has read my comments this season knows I've been very complimentary about Eric. The "spring chicken" comment was only to accentuate Eric's situation and was not derogatory.

[slapshot]

gratton is a fighter but isn't he the guy didn't tie his jersey on the back and got his ass beat by tarnasky.

[Tim A]

It would be nonsense not to bring back Perrin. With Tarnasky and the Stellar play Ranger exhibited last season, he was one of the few upsides to the new faces the Bolts brought in. Perrin scored 13 goals and 36 points total, nothing spectacular but his hustle and heart added something special to the line-up, he also became one of the crowd favorites much like Marty St. Louis. The crowd loves its underdogs and Rudys of the world. The fans may like Chris Gratton but they love Eric Perrin. Placing Perrin on the third or 4th lines may not be doable now that the Bolts have brought in Gratton but the Bolts must find a way to keep him. I also believe Prospal will be on the trading block soon, his hot and cold production was not what it should have been last season and could bring a large return to the Bolts ability to sign a top six scoring forward and a strong defensive fixture to the line-up.

Now that Feaster has thrown a huge monkey wrench into the scheme of things, its going to be intersting to see what the next move will be. I have yet to see the willingness of the Bolts to commit to aquiring a scoring forward or aquiring a sound defenseman. I just don't get it yet. However, I do applaud the commitment to make the special teams better. By inking Gratton and Ward they have shown the committment to do so. What I fear most of all though, is that by bringing in Gratton, you bring in a guy that has loads of attitude and personal problems. I don't know if that is going to be the case any longer, but if it is, we aren't getting the best end of the deal here.

Feaster has now got to find a way to keep Perrin and get a top six forward and good defenseman. I really don't see it happening, but I've been wrong before.

[Mike13]

Mark, my point exactly.

Tim A, great post. I fully agree with your sentiments.