‘It seems like Gratton has been around the game forever but he’s only 25 years old. He’s just begun to near what should be the prime of his career. He entered the league amid expectations he would be a great scorer after netting 55 goals his final year of junior. The Sabres have taken on the task of molding him into a more complete player. Unlike Dumont, they didn’t get him when he was 21 years old, relatively new to the league and therefore still impressionable. Ruff’s mandate is to instill in Gratton an appreciation of what it takes to win.’