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Post by wingman on Oct 20, 2007 14:48:01 GMT -4
Found a short article in regards to Gragnani's play in Rochester so far. Struggling on D: Rookie defenseman Marc-Andre Gragnani continues to help produce power-play goals but he is finding life in the defensive zone to be a struggle.
He assisted on one goal and helped set up another in Friday's 6-5 shootout loss. He also scored the Amerks' only shootout goal.
But Gragnani was on the ice for three Manitoba goals. Instead of pinning opponents on the boards with the body, he is fishing for the puck and getting beat repeatedly. In Wednesday's 7-1 loss in Winnipeg, he was on the ice for four Moose goals.
His plus/minus has plummeted to a team-worst minus-9 in only eight games.
"We're working at it, he's working at it," Amerks coach Randy Cunneyworth said. "He probably reached in at the junior level and stripped them of the puck. He's finding out it's a different game here."rochesterdandc.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071020/SPORTS02/710200322/1007/SPORTS |
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Post by stang07 on Oct 20, 2007 15:38:40 GMT -4
Thanks for the article, wingman. It is always interesting to hear how former Rocket players are doing, especially M.A.. I guess he is finding out hockey is played quite differently in the AHL. He is a good D man and I'm sure he will find his groove in the AHL soon. I hope he keeps his cool and doesn't start sulking and not playing just because he feels like it. I'm sure he won't pull that shit there because the coach won't allow it.
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reggiedunlop7
Blue-Chip Prospect
It's sunny and warm outside...not hockey weather
Posts: 346
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Post by reggiedunlop7 on Oct 20, 2007 15:58:03 GMT -4
Especially for a coach like Randy Cunneyworth....he was a no bullshit player and I expect he's the same way as a coach. Welcome to real hockey Grags...wonder what will happen when Rochester and Hamilton meet up....he'll be looking at Bonneau, Lappierre, Urquart and former Titan Mathieu Carle on the other side.
Lappy leading the 'Dogs in scoring....nice!
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Post by ottawarocket9 on Oct 22, 2007 9:09:12 GMT -4
Lapierre should be in the NHL. Carbonneau needs to get his shit together. The Bruins are rolling and tomorrow nights game could be a dagger in the heart for the Habs.
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Post by stratford on Nov 13, 2007 19:40:29 GMT -4
Gragnani is now LAST in the entire AHL in +/- with a -16 rating through 18 games. Surprised?  |
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Post by wingman on Nov 13, 2007 19:49:58 GMT -4
Actually they had Gragnani playing wing for most of a game not that long ago, apparently Rochester also called up a defenseman from the ECHL at around the same time. Not sure what that means, if anything, in regards to Gragnani but from what I gather from other message boards he is playing terrible so far.
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Post by Score on Nov 13, 2007 22:13:32 GMT -4
Yes, the minus 16 is a stat that he needs to work on.......obviously.
Grags is also the leading point getter on the blueline for the Amerks.
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Post by North Shore on Nov 14, 2007 10:23:12 GMT -4
... he is fishing for the puck and getting beat repeatedly Not surprised by this comment. He was guilty of this when he played here. I'm also not surprised with his point total. No question he is talented offensively. I hope he's able to get some solid coaching and bring his defensive game up. |
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Post by bois on Nov 14, 2007 10:37:14 GMT -4
I could see Grags being moved to forward permanently and then be a PP Qb as a forward in his pro future
I don't think he'll ever be a good defensive dman
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Post by coreyapple on Nov 14, 2007 10:57:50 GMT -4
Gragnani should have been a forward from the very beginning, even in Junior!
His defensive skills are negligible, and his offensive skills are considerable.
He doesn't hit much, he doesn't go into corners, he doesn't clear the zone nor the front of the net.....but he has a great shot, he's a decent skater, and a terrific playmaker.....so WTF is he on the blueline?
Put him on right wing, I say - and on the point on the PP, where he's very effective.
It's been done before - Red Kelly was a Norris-trophy caliber defenseman for years with Detroit, but when he was traded to Toronto, Punch Imlach made him a forward, and this produced great results during the Leafs' Stanley Cup winning years of 62-63-64.
Conversely, J.C. Tremblay was originally a forward in Junior, but became a defenceman in the Pros.
It can be done, and Gragnani would benefit.
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Post by crocop on Nov 14, 2007 11:01:06 GMT -4
The position change worked for Brent Burns of the Wild too, only he went from FW to D.
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Post by bois on Nov 14, 2007 11:11:29 GMT -4
Gragnani should have been a forward from the very beginning, even in Junior! His defensive skills are negligible, and his offensive skills are considerable. He doesn't hit much, he doesn't go into corners, he doesn't clear the zone nor the front of the net.....but he has a great shot, he's a decent skater, and a terrific playmaker.....so WTF is he on the blueline? He's much better than a decent skater His skating was his biggest attribute |
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Post by coreyapple on Nov 14, 2007 11:30:40 GMT -4
Gragnani should have been a forward from the very beginning, even in Junior! His defensive skills are negligible, and his offensive skills are considerable. He doesn't hit much, he doesn't go into corners, he doesn't clear the zone nor the front of the net.....but he has a great shot, he's a decent skater, and a terrific playmaker.....so WTF is he on the blueline? He's much better than a decent skater His skating was his biggest attribute Yes, especially coming out of his zone, leading the power play and carrying the puck, on the nights when he felt like it, of course. He had those long, deceiving strides, the easy speed that, some nights, reminded me of old #4 for the Bruins. Other nights, though, Grags reminded me of other, less illustrious players. |
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Post by shinny4 on Nov 19, 2007 16:19:45 GMT -4
I would agree his skating is exceptional. Grags reminds me of Patrick Traverse who played for the PEI Senators. Anyone remember him.
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Post by hockeychick21 on Nov 19, 2007 16:57:59 GMT -4
oh yes I remember Traverse
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