Observations:

April 2013 – Gragnani has had a slow season by his normal standards, but he still leads the Charlotte Checkers defense in scoring. He has only received a single recall playing just one uneventful game. The Canes instead have opted to use other more reliable prospects for experiencing call-ups. He is a RFA exiting this season, but with the depth in Carolina he will likely be allowed to walk again.  Jason Banks

July 2012 – Surprisingly, he was not qualified let alone re-signed by the Canucks and was forced to find a new home. Depending on training camp in Raleigh, Gragnani could be again riding the bus in the AHL (where he would make $105,000), or ideally he could find adding more production to a cerebral backend for the Canes. Carolina would like to have Ryan Murphy, Justin Faulk and Bobby Sanguinetti make themselves fulltime fixtures in the NHL but Gragnani is a great backup plan, there is only room for one getting regular minutes (without injuries). However it would not be surprising if ‘Grags’ makes the roster as an extra on forward. He spent many call ups in Buffalo as a right winger a few seasons ago and the Hurricanes’ right side is rather thin for a team expecting to make the playoffs again. Jason Banks

June, 2012 – The transition to the NHL has been extremely tough for this offensive wizard. Gragnani was an offensive dynamo from the point in junior and the American Hockey League but his talents haven’t transitioned into an effective NHL career, yet. Do not let his low production or prospect age scare you off, he is destine to quarterback power plays as a puck mover (similar to Tomas Karberle), and be a top two pairing defenseman logging 20 plus minutes a game. Vancouver has six back-liners signed for next season, but as an RFA Gragnani is very likely to be resigned and bump Chris Tanev from the lineup.

Fantasy Outlook: C+

He can provide offensive punch in short stretches if he is given a proper role, but the ship looks like it has sailed on him finding a proper opportunity. Looks like it’s a minor pro career for him.

Footage: Gragnani scores his first goal in his new uniform last season.

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Fantasy Prospects Report Notes (Any FPR’s released in the last 18 months will not be listed here):

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Marc-Andre Gragnani statistics courtesy of Elite Prospects