Anyone want a faceoff specialist

[carpandean]

Chris Gratton was placed on waivers by Tampa.

 

If nothing else, Chris has always been very good on faceoffs:

2008-09: 112/180 (62.2%)

2007-08: 337/618 (54.5%)

2006-07: 293/517 (56.7%)

2005-06: 492/960 (51.3%)

2003-04: 748/1342 (55.7%)

2002-03: 779/1330 (58.6%)

2001-02: 698/1297 (53.8%)

2000-01: 665/1161 (57.3%)

1999-00: 888/1597 (55.6%)

 

Not saying that he is what we need (I'd say that he's another third-line center, not a top-two center), but for those talking about needing a faceoff specialist, he would be one.

[Two or less]

Besides Bob Corkum, Bob Essensa and Erik Rasmussen, this is the next worst Sabres player my two eyes have ever seen. No thanks!

[carpandean]

Besides Bob Corkum, Bob Essensa and Erik Rasmussen, this is the next worst Sabres player my two eyes have ever seen. No thanks!

LOL. True-true. Maybe I just want my brother to be able to wear his red (third) Gratton jersey again. ;)

 

Maybe we can trade him to Phoenix again for another center ... Jokinen? :thumbsup:

[inkman]

I'm open to anything.

[SDS]

I'm open to anything.

:wub: :blush:

[Taro T]

Chris Gratton was placed on waivers by Tampa.

 

If nothing else, Chris has always been very good on faceoffs:

2008-09: 112/180 (62.2%)

2007-08: 337/618 (54.5%)

2006-07: 293/517 (56.7%)

2005-06: 492/960 (51.3%)

2003-04: 748/1342 (55.7%)

2002-03: 779/1330 (58.6%)

2001-02: 698/1297 (53.8%)

2000-01: 665/1161 (57.3%)

1999-00: 888/1597 (55.6%)

 

Not saying that he is what we need (I'd say that he's another third-line center, not a top-two center), but for those talking about needing a faceoff specialist, he would be one.

Great, he'll win 11 out of every 20 faceoffs. How do we get him off the ice on the other 9?

 

Heck, how do we get him off the ice on the 11 he does win?

[LabattBlue]

:wub: :blush:

:lol:

[tom webster]

Besides Bob Corkum, Bob Essensa and Erik Rasmussen, this is the next worst Sabres player my two eyes have ever seen. No thanks!

 

 

I could list at least one hundred Sabres worse.

 

As a top 6 forward, Gratton came up way short. As a third or fourth liner, he would be an upgrade over what they have now and at a reasonable price.

 

That being said, I think Lindy would quit if they reacquired him.

[nfreeman]

I could list at least one hundred Sabres worse.

 

As a top 6 forward, Gratton came up way short. As a third or fourth liner, he would be an upgrade over what they have now and at a reasonable price.

 

That being said, I think Lindy would quit if they reacquired him.

I must disagree. This team needs more fire-in-the-belly guys, not another big, reasonably skilled guy who skates around at half-speed and makes zero impact.

[Bmwolf21]

If Darcy truly thought there was a need for a faceoff specialist Yanic Perreault would already be in a slug uniform.

 

If we're going to bring back available former Sabre centerman I'd rather see Curtis Brown over Gratton.

[Kristian]

I must disagree. This team needs more fire-in-the-belly guys, not another big, reasonably skilled guy who skates around at half-speed and makes zero impact.

 

Very true.

 

Gratton was the WORST floater on the team when he was here.

 

Got enough of those thanks, and I wouldn't want him if he was 8 feet tall and could cover the entire net by just standing in the crease - He's a BUM!

[tom webster]

If Darcy truly thought there was a need for a faceoff specialist Yanic Perreault would already be in a slug uniform.

 

If we're going to bring back available former Sabre centerman I'd rather see Curtis Brown over Gratton.

 

This to me is the most disturbing part of this thread. They preach puck control and discipline and yet they don't seem to care that the most efficient way to retain control is to start with the puck in the first place.

[Stoner]

Repeated from another thread (not that it's worth reading twice):

 

The Sabres are still 29th in the league even with Gaustad back in the lineup for over a month now (and were 25th last year). Sabres haven't been decent on draws since 06-07 when Drury was near 60% in the regular season before struggling in the playoffs. Gaustad's probably a little overrated in this area -- Roy still by far takes the most draws. Derek has to be much, much better. Especially on the road where he's sitting at 44%.

 

I'm glad you brought up faceoffs. They are killing this team. I don't think it's necessarily a reflection of lost talent like Drury but a team the past two seasons that loses focus, won't bear down and doesn't always work hard. A lot of faceoffs are not won cleanly and go to the team that just wants it more.

[Taro T]

Very true.

 

Gratton was the WORST floater on the team when he was here.

 

Got enough of those thanks, and I wouldn't want him if he was 8 feet tall and could cover the entire net by just standing in the crease - He's a BUM!

But in fairness to him, he did throw the late elbow that led to the powerplay that got the Pens started in Game 7. :doh:

[inkman]

:wub: :blush:

You were the first to notice my sexy man calves.

 

:lol:

Don't be jealous!

[Grinder42]

Besides Bob Corkum, Bob Essensa and Erik Rasmussen, this is the next worst Sabres player my two eyes have ever seen. No thanks!

 

 

You left out Paul Cyr. I do agree, Gratton is a been there done that sort of proposition. Not interested! Bob Corkum and Moose deserve a little more love. I would like to see a Face off guy come t town, but so would the rest of the NHL franchises! I know people like Rivet, but I feel he is a BUM! I would love to see us acquire a Center or Winger to take that C off his Chest. Someone with Character and Heart!

 

I do want to take this moment to Say I was Amazed to see Mair mix it up, he finally showed something.....too bad it canceled a 2 on 1 break!

[carpandean]

I do want to take this moment to Say I was Amazed to see Mair mix it up, he finally showed something.....too bad it canceled a 2 on 1 break!

I believe you are thinking of Hecht's fight with Vinny. That fight canceled out a 2-on-1 with the goalie out of the net. Mair's fight negated at best a 3-on-3.

 

Here:

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type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[sabresfaninbaltimoremd]

I must disagree. This team needs more fire-in-the-belly guys, not another big, reasonably skilled guy who skates around at half-speed and makes zero impact.

 

And if he didn't quit, I would suggest that he be asked to, the ONLY circumstance in which I would suggest that!!!

[Stoner]

Not saying that he is what we need (I'd say that he's another third-line center, not a top-two center), but for those talking about needing a faceoff specialist, he would be one.

 

In lieu of a specialist, how about a faceoff coach?

[carpandean]

In lieu of a specialist, how about a faceoff coach?

MacArthur said that Gaustad was working with him during his stint at center when Hecht and Goose were injured. I don't know if it helped. He's still pretty bad, but it may not be in him to be great.

[LabattBlue]

In lieu of a specialist, how about a faceoff coach?

Sorry no room for that in the budget. We had Don Luce in the FO, but he was replaced by two VCR's, a DVD player and a 19 year old intern who knows nothing about hockey but is a wiz with remote controls! :rolleyes:

[SDS]

Sorry no room for that in the budget. We had Don Luce in the FO, but he was replaced by two VCR's, a DVD player and a 19 year old intern who knows nothing about hockey but is a wiz with remote controls! :rolleyes:

 

 

:wub: interns... [/bill Clinton]