NHL.com reports MA Gragnani headed to Rochester...

[johntherevalator]

No surprises here. Interesting write up on Marc Andre

Marc-Andre Gragnani -- Gragnani is an offensive defenseman with brains, stamina and enthusiasm. The 87th pick of the 2005 Entry Draft, quarterbacked the Prince Edward Rocket defense, logging big minutes and putting up points. But behind the numbers is a player who makes the right decisions and plays with intensity. Gragnani was fourth on his team in scoring with 22 goals and 68 points in 62 games. He was second in goals, and fifth in points among QMJHL defensemen. Gragnani’s combined total of 38 goals and 139 points in 127 games over the past two seasons led all QMJHL defensemen.

"He's really improved his skating and his defensive play has gotten better," Christiano said. "He has great poise with the puck and he's gotten bigger and stronger. He's definitely got the ability to be an NHL offensive defenseman based on what we've seen in his two prospects camps here. We've got him pegged for Rochester this season."

Good luck Grags.

www.nhl.com/nhl/app?articleid=335915&page=NewsPage&service=page

[habs24]

I would love to know where the intensity was. The guy that wrote this must never have seen a game.

[stang07]

Grags will have to go out and play his BEST hockey every night for this team or he will be shipped out. There is no doubt that M.A. is a very talented player, but his attitude was poor at times and if he allows this in the AHL he will be sent down. It is up to him now.............

[Score]

I think Grags will be a solid AHL player......and fast.

Kid has skill, and in jr he could afford to play half assed and still be the best player on the ice.

Grags knows he cant do that now, and he won't. He'll be a NHL Dman in the future, and a good one.

[North Shore]

admin said:

... in jr he could afford to play half assed and still be the best player on the ice.

When he played "half assed", which was way too often, he was far from the best on the ice. He'd get beat trying to go around a fore checker when he was the last man instead of passing the puck, would not back check at times and let his team down then pointed the finger at others.

His effort and attitude were inconsistent and a disappointment for a player with his talent and speed. Over the last two seasons he showed no signs of the heart or dedication required to successfully grind out a tough 80 game season.

[wingman]

If Gragnani shows the same effort and attitude in Rochester that he did here on PEI, he is going to have a hard time there. They don't put up with that kind of crap at that level, especially the teammates. In junior, players are there in hopes of getting noticed by pro scouts, at the pro level they still want to get noticed but they are also there to make a living for themselves and their families, they are not going to put up with someone who only plays when he wants to. Gragnani may go to Rochester with a good attitude and good effort but if he doesn't, he is going to find out what it takes to be a pro player the hard way.

[inky]

anyhow, good luck to ya Grags

[rf1]

yes i agree good luck grags, but it's nice to see that many agree that he really just floated last year. Very frustrating, a waste of talent, but if it works out for him, good for him.