Lightning re-sign Gratton
The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed center Chris Gratton to a one-year contract today, owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie announced.Tampa Bay is apparently going to ice two NHL teams next season, all forwards.
"We are extremely excited to have Chris back in the fold for next season," vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton said. "He is a true professional that fits in perfectly with our plan to be a tough team to play against. We look forward to having a healthy Chris Gratton on the ice next season.">> team release
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Labels: Lightning
by James Mirtle @ 4:34 PM
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9 Comments:
Their forward lust knows no bounds.
This is bordering on insanity.
That's not a bad idea, James. If both teams can have 50-point seasons, we'll win the Southeast Division easily. Scheduling home games might be a problem, though.
If you want a job on the team, you are gonna have to work hard in training camp and work hard during the season, no taking it easy. I think that is a good approach. They will probably use the extra forwards as bargaining chips for trades for d-men. They can also throw some of them down to Norfolk, but doubt they clear waivers, so who knows.
It's going to be fascinating to see how this team ends up working on the ice. I'm hoping this all means that Melrose plans to experiment with 4 forwards and 1 D at 5 on 5.
Let's just assume that Brian Lawton (500gms in NHL and years in agent business), Jim Hammett (Avs, World Juniors and NYR scout) and others in Tampa organsation have at least some knowledge of hockey, team building, salary negotiations and caps etc.
If that's true then there might be a plan which might include future trades and most likely forwards. Maybe they even buy-out somebody? Waivers?
And if these trades happen before season begins at very least we can say that summer of 2008 was hot and humid with constant Lightning!
Maybe this is insane but you just have to love it. And there's always a chance that Lecavalier, St.Louis, Stamkos, Recchi, Malone, Roberts, Gratton and others might actually win few games.
What if Lightning makes playoffs? Media was all excited about Philly's great turn around and Paul Holmgren got crowned as The King of GMs.
Maybe, just maybe, Lightning is doing things right?
How is Chris Gratton still in the NHL?!?!? He sucks.
I'm starting to believe they'll sign everyone they can and then trade away the guys they really don't want. Probably knew all along they weren't going to keep Boyle, but if they don't sign him, he walks away for free.
I think that act can only play for a while, and it may come back and bite them.
The best part? By my count, only five of the forwards (Lecavalier, St. Louis, Ouellet, Ward, Tarnasky) played a full, healthy season for the Lightning last year. I'm not a huge believer in chemistry, but this kind of turmoil can't be good for a team.
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