Introduction

In a shocking turn of events, the Vancouver Canucks have waived defenseman Mark Friedman following the opening-day roster deadline. Initially, it seemed the Canucks were keen on maintaining eight defensemen on their roster, a strategy they have utilized in previous seasons to safeguard against injuries. They were believed to be keeping Friedman along with Noah Juulsen as their seventh and eighth blueliners.

Strategic Decision

However, in a strategic move, Friedman was placed on waivers with the intention of sending him to the Abbotsford Canucks in the AHL. This unexpected decision might raise eyebrows, but it’s rooted in a carefully thought-out plan.

Timing of Waivers

The timing of the waiver placement is quite telling; it’s well known that many players tend to clear waivers after roster deadlines, as teams around the NHL finalize their lineups, many capped tight with little flexibility to make changes. This means that calling up a player from waivers at this stage would be a significant undertaking for most teams.

Roster Implications

If Friedman clears waivers and transitions to the AHL, it opens up a roster spot for the Canucks as they prepare for their home opener against the Edmonton Oilers. Notably, general manager Patrik Allvin hinted at the possibility of recalling players like Arshdeep Bains or Phil Di Giuseppe in the lead-up to the game.

Cap Management

Additionally, the move allows the Canucks to employ cap space creatively. By waiving Friedman, they can manage their roster size, maintaining the possibility of carrying 22 players for a few days before heading out on a road trip, where the extra player might be crucial for covering potential injuries.

Waiver-Exempt Players

The Canucks are currently working with just two waiver-exempt players—Aatu Räty and Arturs Silovs—one of whom is anticipated to be the starting goaltender for their home game. This unique circumstance encourages the team to utilize players like Friedman as they navigate the complexities of the NHL salary cap.

Long-term Strategy

This strategy allows the team to be flexible with their player arrangements while also accumulating extra cap space over time. Notably, a player does not need to be waived again until they either play 10 games or accumulate 30 aggregate days on the NHL roster, enabling the Canucks to flexibly shuttle Friedman between the NHL and AHL.

Conclusion

As the season progresses, fans can expect to see similar roster maneuvers as Canucks management seeks to optimize cap space. This could potentially set the stage for a significant mid-season acquisition as they eye a potential trade deadline deal.

Looking Ahead

Will this calculated risk pay off for the Canucks? Only time will tell, but fans are certainly in for an intriguing season ahead!