Brian McGrattan Rumors & News

Vancouver Canucks' Dale Weise, left, and Calgary Flames' Brian McGrattan collide during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Saturday, April 6, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck)

Columbus Blue Jackets' Derek MacKenzie, left, works for the puck against Calgary Flames' Brian McGrattan in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Friday, March 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

The Nashville Predators have gotten their mileage out of CBA section 13.8 this season, as they have now sent three players to the Milwaukee Admirals for short-term "conditioning" stints. Brian McGrattan was sent on one shortly before being traded to Calgary last month, while Matt Halischuk spent time with the Admirals a couple weeks ago. Since March 12, he's been a steady presence in the Nashville lineup. While traditionally thought of as something you do to get a guy back in game shape after he's been on the shelf due to injury, this season the Predators seem to be using them as a way...

Calgary Flames' Brian McGrattan(16) controls the puck against Anaheim Ducks' Cam Fowler during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, March 8, 2013. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Just as Brian McGrattan was a couple weeks before being traded to Calgary, Matt Halischuk is being sent to the Milwaukee Admirals to get some game action. He's been in and out of the lineup of late, most recently seeing 8:53 of ice time in Monday night's game at Los Angeles. Matt Halischuk #24 / Right Wing / Nashville Predators Height: 6-0 Weight: 185 Born: Jun 01, 1988 GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG SOG PCT 2012 - Matt Halischuk 16 0 1 1 -4 6 0 0 0 13 0.0 I'll confess to not being the biggest Halischuk fan, but his tale is a pe...

TSN's Bob McKenzie brings news of an interesting development: NSH trades Brian McGrattan to CGY. — Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 28, 2013 Joe Piskula is who CGY sent to NSH for McGrattan. — Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 28, 2013 Piskula is a 28-year-old defenseman with 10 games of NHL experience (none this season). He will presumably head to Milwaukee. McGrattan had just recently been assigned to the Milwaukee Admirals after clearing waivers, and you might ask why the Flames wouldn't have just picked up McGrattan on waivers. One factor could be the Reserve L...

Darren Dreger brings word that Brian McGrattan can stay with the Milwaukee Admirals: B. McGrattan cleared Waivers.Van places. A. Volpatti on Waivers. — Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 27, 2013 McGrattan joined the Predators after being picked up on waivers from Anaheim, back in October of 2011. He immediately made an impression on fans with his gusto for fighting and his interaction with the fans, whether it be motioning to the crowd during a bout, or sharing his off-ice thoughts via Twitter (@bigern10). Under the new CBA, re-entry waivers would not be required to bring him ...

TSN's Bob McKenzie brought the news earlier today: NSH puts Brian McGrattan on waivers. — Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 26, 2013 If the Nashville Predators are serious about contending for a Stanley Cup, they can't spare a roster spot on a player who simply doesn't help them win hockey games. McGrattan has been with the Milwaukee Admirals for the last couple weeks on a conditioning stint, so this indicates the Predators don't want to hold an NHL roster spot for him going forward. As I've said many times before, there's little practical value in having a heavyweight enf...