Waived: Aaron Volpatti waived; claimed by Capitals

[mrmyheadhurts]

May not be related but Perry is not re-signing with the Ducks according to B-Mac.

 

[opendoor]

I still get the feeling there's a trade coming. Even AV's interview, I felt like he wasn't quite honest when he said Ebbett was the most likely Kesler replacement. It's the only reason why you would waive a guy ahead of time.

You're allowed to exceed the roster limit after a trade for one day to get anyone you need to on waivers, so I don't think they'd preemptively waive someone before a trade went through.

Plus the whole ******** about agreeing that what Volpatti needed was more ice-time when then Volpatti says this:

Yeah, that was pretty ridiculous for AV to say that. Yeah, I'm sure Volpatti was totally on board with getting sent to the AHL and cutting his pay by 80%.

 

[Tiranis]

You're allowed to exceed the roster limit after a trade for one day to get anyone you need to on waivers, so I don't think they'd preemptively waive someone before a trade went through.

Hmm... then I'm at a loss. Contract limit situation?

 

[Samzilla]

it's ok, we still have Ebbett

You went too far.

 

[Tiranis]

And Ebbett is called up so my speculation was all moot.

 

[vanuck]

Ok, don't mean to go all conspiracy theory on everyone, but a lot of weird roster moves going on right now. Volpatti waived but Kesler not put on IR? Pinizzotto nowhere to be found and Ebbett still in Chicago instead of practicing with the big club. Seems rather strange to me. Usually Canucks do everything in a very organized, methodical fashion.

With Ebbett not even called up yet, you have to think something's up. Didn't really buy the ice time excuse for Volpatti being waived either - I don't think they'd just want to waive him for nothing if a move's not going to follow. Another tin foil hat for me too please!

Edit: never mind, just saw the above! Dang, this whole Luongo situation has me all on jitters...

 

[opendoor]

And now it looks like Kesler's on IR.

So I guess the plan is to give Volpatti away and go with zero extra forwards on the roster for the next while just to keep a guy with 17 GP in the last 2 years off of waivers? Makes sense.

 

[vanuck]

And now it looks like Kesler's on IR.

So I guess the plan is to give Volpatti away and go with zero extra forwards on the roster for the next while just to keep a guy with 17 GP in the last 2 years off of waivers? Makes sense.

Does Pinizzotto automatically come onto the Canucks' roster once he's finally healthy and cleared to play? Trying to remember if Ebbett went through the same...

 

[opendoor]

Does Pinizzotto automatically come onto the Canucks' roster once he's finally healthy and cleared to play? Trying to remember if Ebbett went through the same...

He doesn't have to, but it sounds like that's what they're doing. Once he's cleared they could either put him back on the Canucks roster or they could waive him and assign him to the Wolves if he cleared. If the reports are true, it seems like they don't want to waive him so in order to get him AHL time they need to put him on a conditioning loan which means he still takes up a spot on the Canucks' 23 man roster and he counts against the cap.

To me it seems like a lot of hoop jumping and wasting of assets to prevent a 27 year old with 0 games NHL experience and who basically hasn't played hockey in 2 years from hitting the waiver wire. Anyone claiming him would have to keep him on their NHL roster, so I find it exceedingly unlikely that a guy in his situation wouldn't have cleared. Then he could take as long as he needed down with the Wolves (rather than a 2 week limit with a conditioning stint) and the Canucks wouldn't have to hobble along with a shortened roster in the meantime.

Of course that all assumes that the reports about them activating Pinizzotto are true. The Canucks haven't actually made any moves on that front yet.

 

[Tiranis]

He doesn't have to, but it sounds like that's what they're doing. Once he's cleared they could either put him back on the Canucks roster or they could waive him and assign him to the Wolves if he cleared. If the reports are true, it seems like they don't want to waive him so in order to get him AHL time they need to put him on a conditioning loan which means he still takes up a spot on the Canucks' 23 man roster and he counts against the cap.

To me it seems like a lot of hoop jumping and wasting of assets to prevent a 27 year old with 0 games NHL experience and who basically hasn't played hockey in 2 years from hitting the waiver wire. Anyone claiming him would have to keep him on their NHL roster, so I find it exceedingly unlikely that a guy in his situation wouldn't have cleared. Then he could take as long as he needed down with the Wolves (rather than a 2 week limit with a conditioning stint) and the Canucks wouldn't have to hobble along with a shortened roster in the meantime.

Of course that all assumes that the reports about them activating Pinizzotto are true. The Canucks haven't actually made any moves on that front yet.

The roster management this season has been highly suspect compared to the past 3-4 seasons. No clue what they're doing over there or what the thinking is.

 

[Scott Hall]

Maybe Cam Barker is coming in as the extra forward?

 

[vanuck]

He doesn't have to, but it sounds like that's what they're doing. Once he's cleared they could either put him back on the Canucks roster or they could waive him and assign him to the Wolves if he cleared. If the reports are true, it seems like they don't want to waive him so in order to get him AHL time they need to put him on a conditioning loan which means he still takes up a spot on the Canucks' 23 man roster and he counts against the cap.

To me it seems like a lot of hoop jumping and wasting of assets to prevent a 27 year old with 0 games NHL experience and who basically hasn't played hockey in 2 years from hitting the waiver wire. Anyone claiming him would have to keep him on their NHL roster, so I find it exceedingly unlikely that a guy in his situation wouldn't have cleared. Then he could take as long as he needed down with the Wolves (rather than a 2 week limit with a conditioning stint) and the Canucks wouldn't have to hobble along with a shortened roster in the meantime.

Of course that all assumes that the reports about them activating Pinizzotto are true. The Canucks haven't actually made any moves on that front yet.

Seems like a whole lot of hoopla over nothing then. If there's a choice, then I don't get why they won't just leave him on the Wolves until he's ready to come up, instead of activating him and then needing to waive him in order to send him back down again. Very weird.

 

[opendoor]

Seems like a whole lot of hoopla over nothing then. If there's a choice, then I don't get why they won't just leave him on the Wolves until he's ready to come up, instead of activating him and then needing to waive him in order to send him back down again. Very weird.

He's not on the Wolves though. He's technically in the NHL right now, though he's Injured Non-Roster and hasn't been counting against the cap. In order to get him to the Wolves they'd either have to waive him or put him on a conditioning loan. It sounds like they're opting for the latter.

It's a little weird this year because of the lockout. The normal process is that anyone on an NHL contract comes to training camp and then the roster gets whittled down as guys are waived and/or loaned to the AHL in October. Because training camp was delayed until January, guys on NHL deals who spent the first part of the year in the AHL were automatically transferred to the NHL once the lockout was over and had to be dealt with then. Pinizzotto was injured already so nothing happened with him and he stayed in the NHL. But now that he's presumably healthy the team has to make a move with him.

I just don't get why they didn't throw him on waivers. How much interest could there possibly be and even if teams wanted him, are they really willing to let him get back into game shape in the NHL?

 

[Grumbler]

-prelude to the luongo trade?

 

[vanuck]

He's not on the Wolves though. He's technically in the NHL right now, though he's Injured Non-Roster and hasn't been counting against the cap. In order to get him to the Wolves they'd either have to waive him or put him on a conditioning loan. It sounds like they're opting for the latter.

It's a little weird this year because of the lockout. The normal process is that anyone on an NHL contract comes to training camp and then the roster gets whittled down as guys are waived and/or loaned to the AHL in October. Because training camp was delayed until January, guys on NHL deals who spent the first part of the year in the AHL were automatically transferred to the NHL once the lockout was over and had to be dealt with then. Pinizzotto was injured already so nothing happened with him and he stayed in the NHL. But now that he's presumably healthy the team has to make a move with him.

I just don't get why they didn't throw him on waivers. How much interest could there possibly be and even if teams wanted him, are they really willing to let him get back into game shape in the NHL?

Oh, I see. Thanks for the clarification. So at least it looks like he's finally ready for game action again, whichever league that's going to be in. Short of a conditioning loan or waivers, I'm guessing they're going to keep him around for now to see how he looks in practice.

But yeah, not sure if he's going to get back up to speed again by playing in the NHL rather than the AHL. The one reason I can think of for keeping him up is that they reckon he might do a better job than Ebbett and they want to save the hassle of making more transactions... but that's reaching. Even if he is the better player (and I think he is), you don't do that for a guy who's been out since, what, November? Something's very fishy with the way they've managed their roster this year.

 

[Grub]

Hahaha I just find it funny, we thought something big was going to happen..

Volpatti Waived?!?!??! Kesler Injured for a couple of Weeks, WILL probably be in the IR?!?!?! Trade incoming? THIS DOES NOT ADD UP!
*rable rable rable* Volpatti IS BETTER THEN WEISE!?!?! Speculation! "Gillis is smart, he waived Volpatti because he knew that Washingston was at the bottom of the ladder, and giving Volpatti to the Caps for free will bring us benefits in the future".

Oh....

 

[ZenMaster*]

(Pinizotto is 28 years old and has never played a game in the NHL)

(Volpatti is 27 years old with 4 points in 54 games and little AHL success)

There's a reason why Pinizzotto was highly sought after when he hit UFA.

 

[me2]

Ok, don't mean to go all conspiracy theory on everyone, but a lot of weird roster moves going on right now. Volpatti waived but Kesler not put on IR? Pinizzotto nowhere to be found and Ebbett still in Chicago instead of practicing with the big club. Seems rather strange to me. Usually Canucks do everything in a very organized, methodical fashion.

Could be Gillman at work, trying to save a bit of cap during the mini-break. Edit: nope

However the mini-break and Kesler dealing with his foot happening at the same time as Volpatti getting waived.... edit: still could be smoke but it's getting put out by firefighters

 

[LolClarkson*]

So you guys think they waived him knowing he'd be claimed? That's not at all consistent with their past behaviour (holding onto awful players simply because they didn't want to risk losing them)..

That makes it even more obvious that they were FOS because in previous cases, they knew damn well what players will be claimed.

I hope "Pinner" is good.

 

[LolClarkson*]

^And by making those public statements on Volpatti, I they were bluffing by making seem obvious that he would clear.

 

[tantalum]

Because it is a careless loss of depth?

You call it careless loss of depth. I call it a completely minimal loss that builds up goodwill amongst the players which can lead to better rewards later on as players enjoy playing for franchises that treat them well. And yes putting Volpatti on waivers to give him a chance elsewhere is treating a guy well.

I'm fully cognizant that the reasoning somehow isn't registering for you. That's fine, but I'll try again. The canucks don't want to use him in that 4th line/Pk role because he needs to learn half that role and because well they want to be a better team than one that has to play Volpatti at all. They have other options or can get other options easily. They likely have no intention of keeping him a part of this organization going forward. Yes they could have kept him around, found a better time to send him down, stuck him in the press box etc in the name of depth. But doing that may just kill any chance of Volpatti getting himself any sort of NHL deal next year. In another franchise Volpatti may have a better chance to secure that contract because that organization may not be as deep. Saying things like it doesn't make sense or it is a careless loss of depth is only looking at it from the black and white of names on paper. But it isn't black and white. It's grey and other things like helping a player out play into it.

Gillis as an agent and GM has always had the players desires and feelings at the forefront of his mind. He will move guys that are struggling to find a place in this organization to ones where they might better succeed even if it temporarily cuts into depth.

 

[Barney Gumble]

You call it careless loss of depth. I call it a completely minimal loss that builds up goodwill amongst the players which can lead to better rewards later on as players enjoy playing for franchises that treat them well. And yes putting Volpatti on waivers to give him a chance elsewhere is treating a guy well.

As well, 4th liner guys can be picked up via waivers throughout the season.

My problem is that until then, this moves Ebbett up the depth chart.....

 

[tantalum]

As well, 4th liner guys can be picked up via waivers throughout the season.

My problem is that until then, this moves Ebbett up the depth chart.....

I get that, but Volpatti over Ebbett isn't going to win or lose the canucks any additional games. And honestly, if history tells us anything, Ebbett is far more likely to win the canucks games than Volpatti. Ebbett is not a terrible a player and when he has a good game he has a really good game. You know that wwhen he's in the lineup he'll get you a 30ish point pace in the NHL and not hurt you anymore than a handful of other guys on the defensive end of things (that includes Volpatti).

 

[David71]

whose gonna fight now?weise/ kassian?

 

[cc]

You call it careless loss of depth. I call it a completely minimal loss that builds up goodwill amongst the players which can lead to better rewards later on as players enjoy playing for franchises that treat them well. And yes putting Volpatti on waivers to give him a chance elsewhere is treating a guy well.

I'm fully cognizant that the reasoning somehow isn't registering for you. That's fine, but I'll try again. The canucks don't want to use him in that role 4th line/Pk role because he needs to learn half that role and because well they want to be a better team than one that has to play Volpatti at all. They have other options or can get other options easily. They likely have no intention of keeping him a part of this organization going forward. Yes they could have kept him around, found a better time to send him down, stuck him in the press box etc in the name of depth. But doing that may just kill any chance of Volpatti getting himself any sort of NHL deal next year. In another franchise Volpatti may have a better chance to secure that contract because that organization may not be as deep. Saying things like it doesn't make sense or it is a careless loss of depth is only looking at it from the black and white of names on paper. But it isn't black and white. It's grey and other things like helping a player out play into it.

Gillis as an agent and GM has always had the players desires and feelings at the forefront of his mind. He will move guys that are struggling to find a place in this organization to ones where they might better succeed even if it temporarily cuts into depth.

I don't buy this. Volpatti hasn't expressed any dissatisfaction over his ice time. He's been quietly going about his business like a good soldier playing hard when he gets the chance to play. He's a BC boy and wanted to play here even if it meant not having great ice time. I'm not a mind reader, but I doubt he was greatful at being waived and forced to leave his home province.

Maybe they should waive cam barker too. He hasn't played at all this season yet.