Bruins invite enforcer Brian McGrattan to training camp

by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Sep 15, 2010 5:55 PM EDT

It looks like there will be another bully harassing the campers at Camp Claude this year. The Bruins have invited former Ottawa Senators and Calgary Flames bruiser Brian McGratton to this year's training camp on a tryout basis.

The 29-year-old native of Hamilton, Ontario has racked up 395 PIMs in 182 career NHL games. His PIMs far outweigh his points as the 6'4", 235 lb right wing has only recorded 14 points (3-11-14) in his NHL career. He appeared in 34 games for the Calgary Flames last season, posting 86 PIMs and 4 points (1-3-4).

I'm not sure if McGrattan has a shot to make the Bruins big league roster. Shawn Thornton seems to have the role of enforcer pretty well secured, but if McGrattan ends up playing in Providence, Jeremy Reich and McGrattan could form one of the most lethal line combos in minor league hockey since the Hanson brothers laced 'em up and put on the foil for the Charlestown Chiefs. If nothing else, inviting McGrattan to training camp will provide for some entertaining exhibition games because we all know that the best thing about exhibition hockey is you are almost guaranteed to see fights. Every year there is at least a few tough guys who are looking to show the coaching staff what they can do with their gloves off. The bloody thirsty neanderthal hockey fan in me applauds this move.

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Shawn Thornton was on the cover of the season ticket packs, I doubt he’s going anywhere.

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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Sep 15, 2010 6:02 PM EDT reply actions

Hopefully they give him a contract. I don’t mind Thornton but realistically he is going to be in al ot of trouble if he is the one who has to fight guys like Boogaard and King.

by Brad Ackerson on Sep 15, 2010 6:15 PM EDT reply actions

Boogaard doesn’t find many that willing to dance with him and the B’s only play the Wild once. Thornton can hold his own against most enforcers in the league.

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by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Sep 15, 2010 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions

scratch that. I guess he plays for the Rangers now.

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by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Sep 15, 2010 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions

What I love about Thornton is he’ll go with anyone! Even if everybody on the planet knows he’s going to get his ass kicked he’ll never say no!

by SkateHitShoot on Sep 15, 2010 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks to Gaborik asking him to come play, yeah. That was the most hilarious signing of the summer that didn’t include Olli Jokinen going back to the flames.

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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Sep 15, 2010 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I think guys like Boogaard play a bigger role than you give them credit for. Those guys earn their money.

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by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Sep 16, 2010 5:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Boogaard is making 1.6 million dollars to play 5 minutes a night (when not scratched) and cave someone’s face in. Granted, it’s Glen Sather signing him to that money, but still.

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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Sep 16, 2010 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions

The careers of enforcers are usually pretty short. They need to make their money when they can. It’s hazard pay. I have no issues with team’s paying these guys.

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by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Sep 16, 2010 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Don’t hate the playa, hate the game etc.

by Arenacale on Sep 16, 2010 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice! Even if he’s in PVD its might be good to have some extra toughness available!

by SkateHitShoot on Sep 15, 2010 10:06 PM EDT reply actions

It’s a great idea to bring McGrattan into camp. Here’s my thoughts…

Lucic – Krejci – Horton
Recchi – Bergeron – Ryder
Caron – Seguin – Wheeler
Thornton – Campbell – Paille

Chara – Seidenberg
Boychuk – Stuart
Ference – Hunwick

Rask
Thomas

Scratch – McGrattan
IR – Savard, Sturm

Salary – $54.982 Million
Salary Cap – $59.4 Million

Now this is obviously jumping to conclusions about Savvy, but post concussion syndrome isn’t something to mess aroud with, and I am sure the training staff knows that. That being said, I am 100% ok with that line up on opening night, and it is within the rules of the salary cap

by BlueNGoldBomber on Sep 19, 2010 3:05 AM EDT reply actions