Gratton Traded

[boondockdrunk]

Here is the link the the newest trade. http://www.phoenixcoyotes.com/index.php
I rather like it. I also hear that Ballard is pretty good.

 

[Hordispack]

Im surprised to see Ossi go too

 

[Ryanwb]

This team absolutely blows....Gratton sucked, but we got a 3.5 million dollar defenseman in return who is going to be a RFA?

What the?

 

[sly fly]

Ryan,

Norris isn't going anywhere. This deal was simply awesome for the 'Yotes.

 

[American Caesar]

And Gratton was going to be a $2.2 million RFA this summer. It was a great trade. Morris is a true 1st pair defenseman. That's something that the coyotes have not had for the past could seasons -- since Numminen's skills eroded. Ballard, the prospect acquired in the deal might very werll be the best player in the trade. Coyotes have plenty of forwards but needed real defensemen. This is a solid hockey trade.

 

[Hordispack]

Where was I when Numminen's skills eroded?

Suchy has done a great job on D as of late. Underrated IMO.

I do agree that this was a decent trade though

 

[Nick C]

I wish they would have taken Mara instead of Ossi. I really liked the way he played. Mara drives me nuts everytime I watch him play. Seems like he is always turning over the puck.

 

[Hordispack]

Couldnt agree more. I have never been a fan of Mara

 

[nationsrj]

The best thing I like about Morris is on the power play where we now have Doan in front of the net instead of at the blue line. I also see this as an overall upgrade to the defense. With all the new guys I see the biggest loss of Gratton is his ability to win faceoffs.

 

[American Caesar]

I don't know where you were 3 years ago when Numminen's play started slowing down. At first it really didn't matter since he was so good a little erosion still meant he was a #1 defenseman. But last season his played showed that he was no longer the #1 defenseman. The Coyotes were willing to let him go as a free agent last summer instead of resigning him for $5.5 million. In Dallas this season, Numminen's play has been less then what it was last season. So where were you 3 years ago when Numminen's play eroded?

 

[Hordispack]

Three years ago?? I was at the ALL Star game. Teppo Numminen was playing.

 

[American Caesar]

Could very well be since it was the North America vs The World format and Numminen never appeared in an All Star before that ... or since that format stopped.

And besides, we all know that every player who is asked to play in an All Star game deserves to be.

 

[Hordispack]

So tell us...who is the Coyotes top D-man?

I am definitely definitely voting for Brad Ferrence.f

 

[KingLouieLouie]

Originally posted by Hordispack
So tell us...who is the Coyotes top D-man?

I am definitely definitely voting for Brad Ferrence.f

Well....Other than Derek Morris, the only other defenseman worthwhile is currently out of action....

It just seems the turning-point of the season was when
Tanabe got injured...I never really can recall an injury to a player who isnt the best on the roster in any sport spell immediate doom to a team like his did.....

 

[American Caesar]

Derek Morris is an actual 1st pair defenseman on most NHL teams.

David Tanabe is developing into an actual 1st pair defenseman.

Paul Mara is a 2nd pair defenseman.

Cale Hulse should have been traded at the deadline because he is barely 3rd pair defenseman. His name was bounced around at the deadline but nothing happened.

Brad Ference is barely a 3rd pair defenseman.

Radoslav Suchy is a 3rd pair defenseman at best.

Bryan Helmer and Todd Rierdon are only good to recall when injuries happen.

Matthew Spiller and Keith Ballard will end up being a 2nd or maybe even a 1st pair defensemen.

Igor Knyazev will end up being a 2nd or 3rd pair defenseman.

Ossi Vaananen was a 2nd pair defenseman too but because of the horrible defense he was forced to play on the 1st pair which was too much for him to produce properly.

So with Morris turning only 26 this summer the future of the Coyotes defense looks like ...

2004-2005 Season
Morris/Tanabe
Mara/Spiller
Hulse/Suchy

Beyond Next Season
Morris/Tanabe
Mara/Spiller
Suchy/Ballard

 

[Hordispack]

Couldn't agree more. I don't think a lot of the fans realized how good Tanabe was til he got hurt. I've been a fan of dave's since Carolina.

I like D-Mo a lot too.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

I disagree with them pairing both Tanabe and Morris together...

It's best that they're paired with more physical defenseman to protect those 2 from other enforcers...

If the CBA situation is immediately sorted out ("a lock-out is averted) the Coyotes will be probaly be one of the only "buyers" on the FA market....They must add one more "rugged grinding" defenseman, one more prolific scoring forward, and even a better calibre goaltender......

First and foremost, they must keep some form of nucleus intact for once instead of always losing players that they end up acquiring others to fill those voids....Best to finally have some sense of direction or else....

 

[American Caesar]

Improve the defense and you have improved your goaltending. Most goals are not the goaltender's fault, but a result as a missed defensive coverage.

Signing a top 4 defenseman would greatly improve the team's defensive play and goals against average.

Signing a top 6 goal scoring LWer will also help keep the scores close.

The Coyotes have an organization full of grinding, mucking forwards.

Morris is tough enough. Don't let his not-huge size fool you. He throws his weight around on the ice.

 

[Hordispack]

Tanabe doesn't have to be tough. He's wicked fast! He answered the bell with Darcy last season. He got his clocked clean but, he didn't back down.