What does Gratton signing mean?

First, let's try and understand what happened that put Chris Gratton from a non-issue as far as the Lightning was concerned to a guy the team was willing to pay $1.25-million to keep.

Gratton, 33, had a tough 2007-08. His third stint with the team was marred by a preseason eye injury and then a hip problem that was bad enough that in February he had surgery to repair a torn labrum and was shut down for the rest of the season. Played just 60 games.

Then, we were told he was part of a plan in which he would center a line with Nick Tarnasky and Evgeny Artyukhin. Then he no longer was part of the plan. Then, over the past week or two, things changed.

Gratton said he wanted his family to stay in the Tampa Bay area. He had offers from other teams but asked his agent to check back with Tampa Bay just to make sure nothing could be worked out. Reading between the broad lines, seems to me, Gratton, an unrestricted free agent, might have been asking for too much money in his initial dealings gave the Lightning, but finally agreed to a hometown discount to stay with the team and, as he said, keep his family in an area he loves. Did he really have more lucrative offers from other teams? We'll probably never know.

Regardless, Gratton said Friday, "I just thought it was a better fit for my family. I didn't want to move again."

He said his eye still has "minor issues" but nothing that will stop him from playing, and the hip is as good as new.

As far as the team, Gratton's signing gives Tampa Bay 17 forwards, including  No. 1 draft pick Steve Stamkos, who is not yet signed (though that is a formality). As we have stressed before, that means trades are coming.

Who is on the block? Jussi Jokinen, Michel Ouellet, Jason Ward, and, with Gratton's signing, perhaps Ryan Craig.

What does the Lightning want? A steady, veteran defenseman, draft choices and prospects to help bolster AHL Norfolk.

Who might be on the way in? The name Darryl Sydor is still floating around, though I suspect if that is true, the Lightning would much rather claim him off recall waivers and only be responsible for half his $2.5-million salary. At 36, though, he might still have something left after playing 74 games last season for the Penguins with a goal and 12 assists.

Personally, if you're talking about the Penguins and a trade, I like Rob Scuderi better. He's 29, averaged 18:44 minutes last season, was plus-3, has a reasonable $725,000 salary and is unrestricted after next season.

Who really knows what will happen? All we know is with 17 forwards, the Lightning has a lot of chips with which to play.

Comments

[Max Hunter]

I like Grats, but more importantly...

Can we just give the Caps a black eye? The Cap fans earlier totally made me hate them. *L*

[PD]

I doubt anyone would want to buy up that contract Flasher on either side of the border.

Puts Bolts in Cap jail, well forever now.
Sure hope he doesn't get hurt or complacent or were toast.

[Steve R]

Good for you guys. Vinny is not only all world in talent, he's also a class act.

[Don in St. Pete]

It's a great deal for Tampa Bay if true, less than $8mil per ( syd and Malking got $8.5 and Ovechkin $9.3) and most likely front loaded. It works out to an average of $7,727,272.73 per season. Less than Ritch got who never score over 30 goals a perfectly legitimate with the cap numbers projected to rise steadily. Thanks Flasher!

[Tampa Wine Guy]

Boo Hoo for the Habs and Maple Leaf fans. Couldn't happen to a nicer group.

I'm sure we'll hear a lot more Tuesday. Having Vinny around is great for Tampa Bay. I'm sure his generosity such as with All Children's Hospital is only the beginning.

He's all class and Tampa should be proud.

[Boltflasher]

If true, Canadien and Maple Leaf hearts have just been broken all across North America. Also, its a sign that this franchise is NOT relocating anywhere anytime soon...

[Tampa Wine Guy]

Damian is slipping, he got scooped.

[Tampa Wine Guy]

TSN reports Vinny signed 11 yrs, 85M.

[Boltflasher]

Vinny signed till 40? Here's what TSN is reporting..."Vincent Lecavalier's new deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning will carry him close to his 40th birthday. The 28-year-old franchise centre signed an 11-year, $85-million contract extension with the Lightning that will kick in for the 2009-2010 season".

[Don in St. Pete]

Syl, I read about the weight gain on a blog too, but I wouldn't put much trust in that. He's out until late dec, early jan at the least which is the worst part. The good news is the Lightning actually has some depth at forward so that won't kill us like it would have in seasons past. I'm still figuring he'll be ready in january.

[Sylvain]

Will someone update condition for Halpern ?

I read he now has both knees rebuilt and that he's gained weight, too bad he maybe quit hockey.

[Don in St. Pete]

Flasher, What do you think? Jokinen and *someone* for DeVries? They could use 2 left wingers so the other likley name is Tarnasky. But theu may want a defenseman back for depth. Lundin? They won't wanted to be added any salary since they dumped Zidlicky for a prospect to clear his salary.

[Don in St. Pete]

Flasher, Good looking out on the Jokinen rumour. If you remember, Nashville is one of the teams that I pointed out was short on wingers. In addition they may lose Radulov to the KHL and it appears Sullivan is still not ready to come back. The are also the deepest defensive team in the league, with 7 NHL d and a couple in the minors that are looking to win a spot this fall. Turtle and Lightning Rod great post's. No shrink needed by the way, I think you're thinking quite clearly. PD when you finish dead last chemistry doesn't mean a thing, NADA, ZIP. V4, MSL and V20 have played together off and on for years, they have chemistry. While there will be some getting used to for some of the new guys, we had loads of new faces last year if you remember, especially at the end of the season when Ouellet, Halpern and Darche seemed to find some chemistry in short order. These guys are pros, this is part of what they do.

[Boltflasher]

Well Hockybuzz rumouring that Jokinen may be headed to Nashville...but for what?

[Nate Dogg]

PD, I too worry about chemistry...The NY Rangers thought they had a good thing the summer they brought in Holik, Bure, Lindros, etc years ago...that didn't turn out too well...

Hopefully Melrose plays a Phil Jackson-zen master role and can bring everybody together on the same page.

With this place having been torn up and knocked around, the soil and foundation is very loose. It's going to be more of a priority this year than in the past. Let's just hope everyone starts drinking the koolaid during Camp Torturel*COUGH*...training camp

[Nate Dogg]

First, Jokinen is not a forth liner. He is a 2nd/3rd line winger on any team. It would be a shame to lose him.

And I've been really hard on Ouellet in the past, but losing him would be tough to swallow as well considering he finally played well at the end of last year.

Craig...well...here's the thing...Craig easily has the potential to be a true third line center and a powerplay guy (a la Chris Gratton)...however, he's made of glass. He more than likely would've contributed a lot the last two seasons, but we'll never know! So, I'm not sold on him or Ward having the best trade weight.

However, with Ouellet in a contract year (I believe...not sure) and the defensemen badly needing a more experienced top 2 defensemen, losing any or all of them wouldn't be THAT bad...considering.

That said, maybe a package of Jokinen, Ouellet, Craig and maybe a first rounder (and/or a second rounder) for a solid top two guy. Keep in mind somebody like Mihalik could also be thrown in there. And unlike Rogers, he actually still is on pace and holds decent value.

...Wouldn't be surprised to see the Lightning deal for Jackman (Stl), Erik Brewer (Stl), Regehr (Cgy), Bieksa (Van), or Morris (Phx). Personally, if they were able to lock up Morris for about 4-4.5 mill a year (this is a contract year for him), I would say go for Morris. He brings strength, leadership, a solid overall game, and more importantly...a right handed stick. Right now, all of our defensemen are lefties...I know that's the not the end of the world, but I can't imagine it being a good thing.

So, please, OK hockey...as an early christmas gift, can you guys get me Morris or Jackman?? :-D

ND

[Marv]

So glad to have Grats back...
Darn, wish the season started next week. I really think we are going to be so much better this year. Guess until then it is channel 214 on Direct TV!
Go Bolts!!!!!!

[Rudy]

Marosh, co se tak rozcilujes?
Rudy.FL.USA@gmail.com

[Rudy]

Marosh, co se tak rozcilujes?
Rudy.FL.USA@gmail.com

[PD]

Marosh you make some solid points, the best being what none of the OK cheerleaders have really considered... chemistry.

Chemistry is critical/everything to team building.

With OK and Barrie playing sports monopoly, this team will have to hand out name tags at camp.

To all that think the great excess of forwards will land us a solid top 4 D man I ask who is tradeworthy for a solid D??
Teams want value back not three 4th liners.

Marty and thats it unless Vinny gets packaged. The rest won't garner much.

[Habs' Slovakian Scout]

Note to Habs:

Cancel plans to offer Marosh the $5 million/year contract.

[marosh]

The Teacher,

ty si skurveny zavistlivy kokot!

I am from Slovakia and tampa is for me more than gold medal, more than my teams first place on scoring, ...

If I am a pro hockey player I will not play for habs!

Thanx mike13, you sound like a god fan!

[Tee Time]

Make no mistake, Halpern's injury and recent reports that he may be finished triggered the Gratton signing.

My buddy in Maryland saw him, Saying Halpern put on weight and seemed barely able to move.

[LightningRod]

OK has put a lot of pieces together, and Gratton is another. I like his face-off ability, and his willingness to pay the price. It's now up to OK to make all of these pieces fit together, and solidify all of the new and old into a team. At the end of last year, I couldn't have dreamed that they would or could assemble the current roster of players in such a short time. Now comes the real hard part, making all of these changes to this team work. My hutch is that OK realizes that at least 1 or 2 of the new/old players will not work out, so they are adding further depth as part of their plan, so signing Gratton makes sense.

Also, as many are just staring to note, OK is improving, and they say their planing on continuing to improve, their minor league team/system; and this is the key development stage for their current and future prospects. The lack of a real minor league system was seen, by many fans and people who know hockey, as one of the Lightning's greatest weaknesses. Under every past owner, the Lightning's minor league system was a very sad joke; and I believe that this lack of commitment was one of the reasons that many talented past draft picks ended up being traded. I believe that Mara, Langkow, etc., along with Gratton to a degree, where playing up here before they were really ready; and they all would have benefited from minor league time, some more than others. The good and great teams in the league, all having good farm systems that they are dedicated to; and they develop quality players year in and year out. Detroit is the best example that I can think of.

It's becoming apparent to me that OK is focused on improving the Lightning from the top to the bottom. Do I agree with everything they have done thus far, No; but they came in with a plan to improve the whole organization, which to their credit they are implementing at a rapid rate. Has OK made some mistakes? You bet they have, some of which we all have already seen; and some of which we and they will see at some future date. No new owner could come in here, and make this an extensive of a re-organization, without making some waves and making some of us fans very unhappy. From some of the postings that I have read here and elsewhere, some fans actually appeared to expect a perfect and painless transition from OK, or apparently any new owner who took over this team. I wanted them to keep Boyle to; but in fact he played a large part in forcing his own trade when he effectively demanded a new contract before the trade deadline. Does anyone believe that Boyle's 6 yr. $6.67M contract was not going to make a new owner's rebuilding of this team much harder? In the end, I didn't like how OK handled Boyle's trade; but I didn't like how Boyle dealt with it and what he did either.

As this team steadily declined, after the 04 CUP run, ending up in last place in 08, I think everyone agrees that there were many holes to fill on this team. There was a lot wrong with the Lightning and their organization, including no ownership commitment, a coach who didn't have the skill sets to deal with a team in decline and lost his locker room as a result, scouts and a GM who had some real problems evaluating talent so some very poor to horrid trades were made along with a scouting system who most of the time couldn't find a diamond in the ruff in a handful of coal if their life depended on it, etc.

Thank God, it was not all doom and gloom. There were still good things at the end of last season, such as the core group of talented forwards, potential good goaltenders in Smith and Ramo, and a large group of young defensemen with a lot of potential. This is what OK saw when they wanted to buy this team; and that's what they are building on. I like the fact that Gratton maybe a part of the re-building of this team and the entire organization.

[Voice of the Turtle]

If there is one thing that I like about the Gratton re-signing along with the other new forwards brought on board, it is the "grit factor." Measuring skill is one thing (and the Bolts have a plethora of talent on that scale), but "will to win" is often the major difference between talented teams that negotiate long and anxious 82 game seasons and then face the playoffs replete with its pressures and extraordinary physical demands.

When the O.K. gang and Coach Melrose made reference to creating a team that "you hate to play against," it is clear now that they were not kidding.

It seems certain that the issues on the blueline will be addressed well before the season begins. And, trades involving what Damian points out to be the likely suspects are probably being considered.

For these reasons, I anticipate that this coming campaign will be fabulously entertaining. If, for some reason, I expire before season's end, I want to be buried face up under the ice with my eyes pried open.

................................

Oh, Mon Dieu, I just re-read what I wrote, and I may be starting to morph into this site's ubiquitous Lightning cheerleader, "Don in St. Pete." Where is "the shrink?" I think that I need his help.

[Kipp]

Recchi has no place on this team, why did we sign him?!

[Mike13]

Hey "The Teacher" we are not Florida fans on this blog. We are TAMPA BAY fans. You need to keep going south on I-75 for about 4 more hours, and you'll be close.

In fact, you should probably just keep going 4 more hours after that and drive right off the last pier on Key West.

[Mike13]

BTW, I couldn't agree more though, that a 3rd line of Jokinen-Halpern/Gratton-Ouellet line would be AWESOME. Certainly, much better than a Roberts-Halpern/Gratton-Recchi line.

[The Teacher]

One Question, coming from a fan from HABS INSIDE/OUT...Why are you Florida fans still in the league? Go boating, swimming, or something, Disneyworld, maybe. Geez, lmao.

[Mike13]

Marosh,

I think Jussi has the tools to be a top line LW, but he showed virtually NO CHEMISTRY last year with Lecavalier and St. Louis. That's why Prospal is the #1 LW.

IMO, Jussi is too good to be a 3rd liner, but there's no way he is better than Malone in the TB system.

Thus, he's trade bait.

[Goalman]

Oh, by the way. MacDonald signed with Columbus.

[Goalman]

I wasn't really excited about the Gratton signing,but as I think about it more I like it.In saying that, I would add that we need to get a quality defenseman.I think Daryl Sydor,although good credentials, is too slow for the new game played in the NHL. I agree,Rob Scuderi is a better fit. As I mentioned before,Mathieu Schneider is still available ,but again may be a little over the hill.If things implode in Miami,is Boumeister a possibility?

[marosh]

no problem with first 2 lines but ...

joki+halpern+oullet as 3rd and tarno+gratton+arty as 4th is better than 42+40 or roberts,recchie...

maybe hall will fit, no roberts, too much money for veterans!

I have no problem with prospal but he is not 1st liner, I dont understand why new owners destroyed the core of this team, we just missed a good d-man to boyle, solid goalie and one 2-way star who can score and play PK(malone,rolston,...)

I see too many new faces here, = always bad chemistry, if they trade all favourite players, fans lost their hope and this is bad!

[jackie]

i'm glad we're keeping gratton...he plays his heart out and his heart is in tampa!

[skp]

when it fleshes out, between st. louis, malone, halpern (when healthy), and gratton, you've got a max-effort player on each line...a few guys on the brink who i'd hate to lose, but that's a great problem for a team to have i guess

[boltdolt]

That's right, keep everyone,

Play seven lines a game.

Wear everyone down.

[Michael]

Keep Ouellet. It has a scoring touch.

[phantom]

or maybe sign burger king lol. right slapshot. We could use Subway in goal. Or even better Save-a-lot lol.

[slapshot]

maybe the lightning resigned gratton to fill in Halpern spot while he is gone, or in case craig goes down with an injury again.

But $1.25-million for that kind of role would be too much. it would be more reasonable to re-sign mcdonald for $500K or a two-way deal to have that kind of role.

[Jimmy]

For all you people upset with this deal...this guy is full of heart and I'd venture to say that there are few guys, if any on the team (probably St. Louis) that give it 110% every time they are on the ice. Gratton goes out there knocking people around and skating his butt off. Great old school hockey player who has been a good NHLer his whole career. I am surprised and very happy to see that Gratton is making a comeback to the team next year.

[The Big A]

Don't trade Jussi Jokinen!