Lightning Re-Sign Chris Gratton

[Thrillhouse]

TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed center Chris Gratton to a one-year contract today, owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie announced.

“We are extremely excited to have Chris back in the fold for next season,” vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton said. “He is a true professional that fits in perfectly with our plan to be a tough team to play against. We look forward to having a healthy Chris Gratton on the ice next season.”

Gratton, a 6-foot-4, 221-pound native of Brantford, Ontario, played in 60 games with the Lightning last season. He recorded 10 goals, 21 points, one power-play goal and one game-winning goal while battling a hip injury. He returned to the Tampa Bay line-up for the first time since the 1999-00 season last year and ranked second on the team in face-off percentage, winning 337 of 618 draws taken (54.5 percent). The Lightning posted a 6-1-1 record when Gratton scored a goal as he scored five of his 10 goals with the game tied.

The 33-year-old has played in 464 career games during three stints with Tampa Bay, recording 98 goals, 159 assists and 257 points. Gratton ranks seventh on the franchise list in games played, goals, assists and points.

The 15-year NHL veteran has played in 1,068 career games with Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Phoenix, Colorado and Florida. He has 214 career goals and 565 points with 1,626 penalty minutes. During his career, Gratton has recorded seven seasons with 15 goals or more and 12 seasons with 10 goals or more. He also put together 10 seasons with 30 points or more. He has played in 40 career playoff games, recording eight goals and 15 points during his career. He made his first Stanley Cup Playoff appearance with Tampa Bay in 1996 and recorded two points.

Gratton, the Lightning’s first-round choice, third overall, at the 1993 Entry Draft, served as Tampa Bay’s captain during the 1999-00 season. In 1997 he signed with Philadelphia as a free agent after four seasons with the Lightning. He played 108 games with the Flyers before being re-acquired by Tampa Bay with Mike Sillinger in exchange for Daymond Langkow and Mikael Renberg on December 12, 1998. The Lightning then traded him to Buffalo during the 1999-00 season with a second-round pick in the 2001 Entry Draft in exchange for Wayne Primeau, Brian Holzinger, Cory Sarich and a third-round pick in 2000. Following the trade he went on to play with the Coyotes, Avalanche and Panthers before being re-acquired by Tampa Bay from Florida on June 13, 2007.

[Colt Seavers]

I'm glad they changed their mind. Now, lets follow suit with Andre Roy!

[lilburtis9363]

Chris Gratton is awsome!

[MattBurger]

Don't really get this signing. There is no room for him on the team as of right now, unless they plan on benching Ryan Craig.

[DaveBrown69]

I've been a fan of his team-first style of play for a long time!

[kwnger1371]

What is this like the 30th foward they have on roster.

[Juha82]

Gratton was a big promise though but never does come for the Superstar.
But he's a very good teamplayer and tough one.
A very good Re-sign.

[BGDDYKWL]

Good to see this get done, especially when all signs pointed to him being gone. While he certainly hasn't come anywhere near the hype which preceded him, he is still a productive forward and a solid fighter.

[Humpzilla]

Seems like the Bolts finally decided to pull their collective head out of their ass this off-season. Too bad it's far too late and too many forwards later. And also, I would say this might be the signing that'll permanelty keep Konopka in Norfolk all season long, barring injuries. And also, talk about disinformation when it comes to Barrie and Koules. One minute they're saying Boyle is staying -- only to be dealt -- and then publicly say Gratton won't be back -- only to be re-signed a little bit later....

What crap.

[Isles4life]

I like Gratton, but are they ever planning to address the defense situation?

[Orr=God]

all forwards, no defense. i hope tampa falls flat on their face this year because their owners really seem like *ssholes.

[Blouin]

gotta like this resigning

[Sukoshi84]

Stoked that they re-signed Gratts but at what expense to the team ? we have way to many fowards...... i sure hope they start to trade for some D-Men, because they sure fuked up by not snaging Jason Smith

[Grittzkey]

Melrose is goin to switch it up.

4 Forwards - 1 Dman..

Ulti scoring machine.

[tnaveler]

these will be there lines, of which no teams defense wants to face. thats alot of firepower.
first st. louis-lecavalier-prospal
second malone-stankos-vrbata
thrid recchi-gratton-roberts
four tarnasky-craig-artyukhin
halperns out till november, jussi and michelle are trade bate for better draft picks. as far as the rest, there AHL bound. The defense is young, but will be
first ranger-kuba
second carle-obrien
thrid picard-lundin
with hutchibson as alternate. again the rest go to AHL.