Confirmed with Link: Sabres claim Christian Wolanin off waivers from LA (Waived 11/30, re-claimed by LA 12/1)

[Jim Bob]

What was his upside potential before the injuries derailed things?

Sounds like Any elmore.

 

[Digable5]

He either doesn't know what 86ed means or he doesn't want to be here.

He was hoping to catch on with the Bills as a receiver.

 

[old kummelweck]

He was hoping to catch on with the Bills as a receiver.

I was thinking tight end.

 

[cybresabre]

"A team..."
Found the former Sen

 

[Club]

I actually like this.

 

[Buffaloed]

There's more than a few guys that have been buried on depth charts that never got a good chance to prove themselves in the NHL and eventually end up on the "right" team and show they belong.

 

[Der Jaeger]

There's more than a few guys that have been buried on depth charts that never got a good chance to prove themselves in the NHL and eventually end up on the "right" team and show they belong.

When I was at Fort Knox in 2000, I watched a young Dan Boyle struggle to make the Panthers and stick. He was with Louisville in the AHL then. He went to TB and the rest is history.

Not saying that’s Wolanin, but @Buffaloed is right. Sometimes all a player needs to to be on the right team.

 

[flashsabre]

Who does he replace in the lineup?

 

[Gras]

Who does he replace in the lineup?

Joker

 

[Jim Bob]

Who does he replace in the lineup?

Right now he's the 7th D unless he outperforms Butcher in practice.

 

[Nikolajs Sillers]

"A team..."
Found the former Sen

Another one can't spell surnames.

 

[Kyndig]

When I was at Fort Knox in 2000, I watched a young Dan Boyle struggle to make the Panthers and stick. He was with Louisville in the AHL then. He went to TB and the rest is history.

Not saying that’s Wolanin, but @Buffaloed is right. Sometimes all a player needs to to be on the right team.

Not on defense, but Sam Bennett is one of the most recent and prime examples.

 

[itwasaforwardpass]

Wolanin and Bryson splitting time with Miller. I hope Bryson isn't considered the defender at the bottom of the depth chart.

Based on how they've played so far, I'd rather Butcher be the one potentially replaced.

 

[Zman5778]

What was his upside potential before the injuries derailed things?

Good skating top 4 Dman who was better offensively than defensively.

 

[Chainshot]

From Ian Mendes when Wolanin went to the Kings from the Sens:

Kings continue depth reshuffle by adding defenseman Christian Wolanin in a trade

Mendes: The Senators had high hopes for Wolanin, envisioning him as a puck-moving defenseman on the left side. He had an inside track on a full-time job prior to the 2019-20 season, but a freak injury just before training camp resulted in a torn labrum in his shoulder. He returned slightly ahead of schedule, but only appeared in three NHL game with the Senators before the pandemic wiped out the remainder of the season. When Wolanin arrived at Senators camp in January, he found himself fighting for a job — and the respect of head coach D.J. Smith. As the season progressed, it became clear the Senators preferred Mike Reilly and Erik Brannstrom to Wolanin, ultimately deeming the 26-year-old expendable. But Wolanin has a likeable swagger and confidence that could blossom in a market like Los Angeles — provided he gets the trust of Todd McLellan. Wolanin has the ability to run a second-unit power play and can stretch the ice with his passing. His skating and vision are certainly NHL-caliber. If he can stay healthy and improve his play in the defensive zone, he could certainly emerge into a regular NHL defenseman.

 

[Chainshot]

The 86 isn't new either -

 

[Chainshot]

Also from last spring's WC's -

 

[elchud]

Seema like quite a bit of redundancy with Butcher/Wolanin/Bryson as far as skill set and strength.

Let Butcher play with Dahlin for another 20 games and maybe he can be traded for a pick

 

[sabres4ever]

To my surprise, Bryson has earned his place in the lineup. He's played very well these first two. God forbid there's another injury, but we need to see what CW can do.

 

[Jacob582]

Seema like quite a bit of redundancy with Butcher/Wolanin/Bryson as far as skill set and strength.

Let Butcher play with Dahlin for another 20 games and maybe he can be traded for a pick

It's the type of game Granato wants to play.

 

[Jim Bob]

The 86 isn't new either -

Yeah, it was his camp number with the Sens.

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[jc17]

I wonder if craig gave him a good review

 

[brian_griffin]

Interesting, he transitioned to defense at 20 years old.

About 18 years sooner than Phil Housley...

When I was at Fort Knox in 2000, I watched a young Dan Boyle struggle to make the Panthers and stick. He was with Louisville in the AHL then. He went to TB and the rest is history.

Not saying that’s Wolanin, but @Buffaloed is right. Sometimes all a player needs to to be on the right team.

BUF could use some Dan Boyle types. Steady, smart, etc. (Not implying this new guy will be Dan Boyle-esque.)

 

[UnleashRasmus]

What was his upside potential before the injuries derailed things?

Bottom pairing potential. Underrated puck mover. He's still got a bit to work on in his zone. But, not a terrible claim. He's always been a character guy. He's also a former teammate of Caggula.