BELFAST -- Not every day, if ever, that a Winston Churchill quote gets posted in a NHL dressing room.

But here in the UK, high on a wall in the Belfast Giants dressing room (used by the Bruins during their stay here) is one of Sir Winston's memorable lines:

''Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never. In nothing great or small, large or petty. Never give in except for the conditions of honour and good sense.''

Not enough room on the wall for the rest of WC's quote, which was:

''Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.''

McGrattan still in contention
Brian McGrattan, with the Bruins on a tryout agreement, remains in contention for a job with one week to go before the season opener.

''There are only so many spots,'' observed the towering tough guy. ''All I can do is be ready if my number gets called.This is the first time I've been without a contract since rookie camp my first year pro. It's a bit difficult, but you have to put all that aside and do my best. If it doesn't work out, then at least I know I gave it my best shot.''

Wheeler back at left wing
Looks as though Blake Wheeler will start the season at left wing after a brief dalliance at center earlier in camp.

''Where I am, I am,'' said the ever-agreeable Wheeler, who looks like he will start the season on a line centered by rookie Tyler Seguin. ''It looks like wing right now, but hey, that could change tomorrow.''

Coach Claude Julien explained that the experiment remains on hold while Seguin gets force-fed minutes at center, in part because of the absence of No. 1 pivot Marc Savard (sidelined by post-concussion syndrome).

Special guests
The Bruins tonight are dinner guests of Pat Convery, the city's Lord Mayor, a post that originated in 1613, less than 12 months prior to the start of Mark Recchi's rookie NHL season.

Toivonen on waivers
The Blackhawks at noon today placed ex-Bruins goalie Hannu Toivonen on waivers. He is a $15,000 claimer.

In the summer of 2007, GM Peter Chiarelli flipped Toivonen to St. Louis for Swedish center Carl Soderberg, but the 6-foot-3 pivot thus far has opted never to venture to North America.