Typically when the NHL free agent period begins teams load up on the guys that help them win by scoring, stopping, or defending. Then as the period goes on, they load up on guys that protect the scorers, stoppers, and defenders by signing the beloved tough guys. These guys are every bit as important to the mix that makes a successful team. Think eggs in a cake mix. Sure, you can make a cake without it, but isn’t it more delicious and moist with eggs? Um. I think I want cake. The exception to the rule was of course proved by the Boston Bruins a few years ago. They signed PJ Stock on July 1, and later in the year, sent him to Providence, then loaned him to Philadelphia of the AHL where he sustained an eye injury, and never played again. Nice work assholes. Point being, we are approaching the time now when teams will start loading up on the eggs.
Calgary got into the mix this weekend by adding Brian McGrattan to their roster. McGrattan played only 5 games last year after entering the NHL’s substance abuse program. I am happy to see Calgary give this very capable tough guy another shot in the NHL. McGrattan has a huge block head, and in my opinion, is one very tough customer. I have included a fight between McGrattan, and Boston tough guy Shawn Thornton from their AHL days. A decent tilt indeed.
There are some very capable enforcers out there to be signed. Trevor Gillies, Jon Mirasty, and Brandon Sugden are all looking for work. Gillies almost made the Hurricanes out of camp last year, but hasn’t played since getting his eggs scrambled in a December 20th fight against Paul Bissonnette. It was the ice that got the better of him, and not any punches thrown his way. Sugden was with Hartford last year, and Mirasty is a long time Syracuse Crunch fan favorite. I’m hoping they all find work, and selfishly, hope it’s within an hour’s drive of me. I’ll take Worcester, Providence, and Manchester please. Oh, and a cake.