Josh Gratton and Brendan Bell Elect Arbitration

by user Pbcoyotes

Phoenix Coyotes forward Josh Gratton and defenseman Brendan Bell rejected the Coyotes qualifying offer. Therefore, both players are headed for arbitration. The Coyotes offered two way contracts, which could send either of the pair down to the AHL if they do not make the team, and both of them seek one way, NHL only contracts.

The value of Josh Gratton, especially with the current players in our division, is immeasurable. With the Anaheim Ducks resigning Brad May, along with the current members of the Ducks, physical toughness is needed. Gratton will defend his teammates in every situation possible, taking on someone twice his size.

Brendan Bell was a 3rd round pick 65th overall in 2001 for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Coyotes acquired him via the Yanic Perreault trade at the deadline last season. Before arriving to the Coyotes, Bell did not spend much time with Leafs. He stayed with his junior team, the Ottawa 67's, from 2001 - 2003. His stats were impressive. He played 238 games with the 67's, and during his tenure he scored 171 points, with 32 goals and 139 assists.

However, domination in the OHL does not mean success in the AHL or NHL.

Bell went to the St. John's Maple Leafs, Toronto's AHL affiliate. In 219 games with the St. John's team, he had 99 points with 19 goals and 80 assists, but he was a minus 35. He played 32 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and scored 5 points with a minus 3 rating. When he came to the Coyotes, he looked truly lost on the ice. In 14 games with the Coyotes, he was a minus 8 with only 2 points.

Josh Gratton means more to this team than Brendan Bell does. I can completely see why the Coyotes want Bell as a two way player. What I can't understand, though, is why the Coyotes can't see the value of Josh Gratton? He has done everything they have asked and he is consummate team player.

When Josh Gratton was in the lineup, the Coyotes ended up 25-25-1. At one point in the season, they were 24-19-1. When the team was dismantled at the trade deadline, the Coyotes hit the skids which brought the Gratton factor down. They were 6-21-4 when he did not play.

I am beginning to think that General Manager Don Maloney does not know the value of his team. With all the fans clamoring for Mike Barnett's head, for better or worse, right now we are seeing the worst of it with placing players like Kevyn Adams (who the Buffalo Sabres possibly wanted) and Nick Boynton on waivers and with a failure of acquiring a goaltender he keeps talking about.

A new GM from the Eastern Conference may have no idea about the situation in the Western Conference. While it is true that he was able to see Nick Boynton and Kevyn Adams play many times when they were with their former teams, I can't imagine why he would consider moving a player like Adams who took a pay cut for another year here and that has a Stanley Cup to his credit.

The decision not to offer Gratton a one way deal shows that his previous sacrifices meant nothing. I predict that he will get closer to what he wants through the arbitration process, while Bell will not.

Possibly, Kevin Cheveldayoff, the Chicago Wolves GM, was the better choice to replace Barnett.