Phoenix

[Bob]

The Coyotes are supposedly looking for a D-man and are apparently anxioux to unload Chris Gratton and/or Mike Sillinger.

Gratton would give the team more size and toughness up the middle but could Julien inspire the big man to buy into his system and play up to his potential?

Of course anything more than Karl Dykhuis would be too much to pay because Montreal would be taking a fairly substantial salary off the Coyotes hands.

[mikeg]

who/what/where is the source for this?

this is an old rumor that just won't go away!

[BadCompany]

BadCompany said:

Could this be the prelude to the "much" anticipated right-handed center move?

Either Mike Sillinger or Mike Eastwood might look good on the 4th line. Both are right-handed shooters, both are good on face-offs, both could probably be had for a mid-range draft pick, both can easily be dumped at the end of season, both are Gainey-esque players, both would make nice additions to the 4th line, pending the return of Steve Begin.

If Kilger can't, or won't, do the job, would either of those guys be logical choices?

Sillinger (56.5% on face-offs):

tsf.waymoresports.thestar.com/thestar/hockey/player.cgi?1278

Eastwood (51.3% on face-offs):

tsf.waymoresports.thestar.com/thestar/hockey/player.cgi?1015

Sillinger is a guy I thought Gainey would like to target. But he's kind of cheap, and with the Coyotes battling for a playoff spot, I'm not sure they would want to get rid of him now, seeing as he is a UFA at season's end, and most of his salary has been paid already. They certainly wouldn't want a Karl Dykhuis, who makes almost as much, and who still has another year left on his contract.

I could see them being interested in Franky Bouillon though. He fills a hole for them, he is cheap, and useful. Is that a deal we would be willing to make? Bouillon for Sillinger?

[Bob]

mikeg said:

who/what/where is the source for this?

this is an old rumor that just won't go away!

It isn't a rumour... it's just a question. Would Gratton fit into our lineup?

[blaise]

I'll answer a question with a question: Would Gratton, Sillinger, or Eastwood enable the Habs as they're presently constituted to compete seriously for 4th or 5th place? I think not. For 6th place? Maybe. Would the loss of Bouillon hurt the Habs' chances? Could be. As has been said elsewhere in this forum, Gainey would probably prefer to make his minor trades in the form of future considerations.

[Douper]

Once we get Begin back in the lineup I can see us starting to win again. He brings energy to the 4th line and makes his wingers have energy...I think he is the sparkplug we need. Gratton and Sillinger wouldn't be good fits....That's right I like Begin!

[blny]

Douper said:

Once we get Begin back in the lineup I can see us starting to win again. He brings energy to the 4th line and makes his wingers have energy...I think he is the sparkplug we need. Gratton and Sillinger wouldn't be good fits....That's right I like Begin!

You aren't the only, and I was thinking along the same lines as you. His energy will be a welcome sight on the ice. He can do as good a job in most areas as Sillinger and for a fraction of the cost, not to mention we don't have to give up anything.

[Doc Holliday]

I like neither player.

As BC said though, Sillinger could, maybe, fill the right handed faceoff specialist slot in a playoff run. But even so it would look like the Berezin experiment did IMO.

I absolutely do not like Gratton. He's a guy that creates deception everywhere he played, usually becomes a non-factor when the stakes are high.

I'd pass on them...

[Paul]

I also would pass on both Sillinger and especially Gratton.

[seventeen]

I think BLNY and Douper were talking about Begin, not Gratton.