Tampa Bay Lightning's Chris Gratton, Radim Vrbata clear waivers

Lightning forwards Chris Gratton and Radim Vrbata cleared waivers. Gratton is expected to be assigned to AHL Norfolk, and Vrbata likely will play for a team in his native Czech Republic.

Comments

[LC]

I agree with Dick Weed. Koules/Barrie are playing with toys. Don't let Lawton make any moves and Tocchet is just a joke. This could be the worst team the league has seen in a long time-just spare parts assembled with no thought as to what to do with them. Already many of the games are mailed in after the first period.

[hyjyljyj]

Halpern "not a player worth caring about"...I disagree. He played so well for us last season when everyone else had thrown in the towel, I damn near had a #11 jersey made. He'll prove the naysayers wrong--again.

Gratton has been a disappointment at every stop along the way of his career, yet I still like his grit and his unearthly face-off ability. Secretly I hope he comes back.

[McGz]

Leo, good to have you back, I have been out of the loop the last few days and this blog has almost exploded.

Yes, drafting was a big problem with this club. And finally the 'cowboys' changed things. What will we do without having J. Feaster draft in futility for another 8 years? At the very least the new GM (or owners) whoever you believe is running the show is is/are correcting the most important facet of this team, SCOUTING.

And ridding the team of the free agents that should have never been signed (ie Vrbata, Gratton). Hopefully, Roberts and Craig are next to go.

[leo]

Since Vincent Lecavalier,
Only eight of your 106 draft choices have seen NHL time.
Maybe that has something to do with something...
P.

[Joe]

I like Gratton but since no one picked him up I think that says it all.

[PD]

Good one Oscar but if Potvin ever came here, (he would't under Barrie) then he sure wouldn't play 2nd fiddle to Tocchet.

Grats gave the effort but was done 5 years ago.

[Marcel]

RTL is 100% correct

[Marcel]

Halprun will need the remainder of this season to just get back whatever he had before injury.

The rehab is only first part, this guy now has to climb the hardest part.

He's mush either way you evaluate him, always associated with failure, not a player worth caring about.

[RTL]

Typical comments I expected about Grats. Sticks up for his team mates and wins 62% of faceoffs, but we don't want him anywhere near the team? Since virtually every decision this front office has made has been the wrong one should tell you something.

[Marcel]

Unrelated to this post specifically but important to mention that at least 4 Stanley Cup winning coaches are out there looking for work.

The GM is an utter bafoon.
This team can't afford a rookie coach, plain and simple.

The GM is a complete disgrace

[Oscar]

Fare thee well Chris Gratton.
The wavering intensity and doofus decisions finally caught up, again. Hey man, when the guy feels like playing he can be a fierce competitor. That just hasn’t occurred too often in recent years, no, forever! Inconsistency does-in many.

What I have witnessed is nothing better or worse than what’s demonstrated by the rest of the Bolts---starting with our exalted Captain--- or currently seen everywhere in America; they are paid just enough to keep from quitting, and they produce just barely enough to keep from getting fired. The only diff is there are some serious frogskins being wasted here.

Oh, and do try to hurry Halpern along. The 18th? Oh shoot, why do we have to wait so long? Can’t wait until we see him rip something and return in October, if ever.
STUPID!

Keep the door swinging and the youthful infusion continuing.

A Boston buddy said maybe the time is right to split up #4 and #26. I happen to agree more readily this year.
It won’t be long before Prospal begins to mail in his efforts and my stomach can’t take watching a struggling club with Recchi as the Head Honcho on ice.
For the gut I’d stick with St. Louis. He is a real lion out there and was less likely to phone in the games when we couldn’t watch the end of last season arrive soon enough.

Nice eye Vinny. Between the Cooke clip and that fetid attempt at pugilism (with a real killer, Hecht. Don’t go for a rematch with Iginla, you’ll die.) I wonder why Tortorella's best coaching isn't resonating in your head and demonstrated on the ice.
Sorry, Richie is gone and the money vs. might tussle comes to your shoulders now. Get tougher, much tougher ASAP!

Stop doing business with Pennsylvania. We don’t need any more stiffs from the Flyers, Clarke and Barber only chortle at our ineptitude, though probably scratching their heads about Picard. Stop trying to emulate the damn Penguins too. Start our own identity.

Coach Tocchet seems to have a grip for this game but needs help. Get him some (DenisPotvinDenisPotvinDenisPotvin)!!!

Go Bolts!

[BoltAction]

Man, it's about time. Gratton has been useless for years (no wonder we got him).

I found an old link I posted last year and gave it a click. What I read is pretty similar to this, so let's hope Gratton doesn't get all offended like that guy from Montreal:
http://habsbros.blogspot.com/