Canucks reliable tough guy Aaron Volpatti has been claimed by the Washington Capitals on the waiver wire.
GM Mike Gillis took a gamble this week by making the decision to send down the feisty role player to the Chicago Wolves, as Volpatti, who had a 1-way professional contract, had to clear waivers before making it to the Canucks farm team.
Ryan Rishaug reported this morning that the Washington Capitals claimed Volpatti, who will join the team this week.
Volpatti claimed by Caps
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) February 28, 2013
The team is lucky that it was Washington who picked up the 4th liner today, as Edmonton was waiting to pull the trigger to take him, but with them being ahead in league standings, the lower-ranked Capitals had privilege of laying claim.
Ever since the 2007 playoffs when Brian Burke’s big hitting Anaheim Ducks ousted the Canucks in the second round, Canucks management has strived to fill up the roster with tougher role players (see this year’s Kassian and Weise), which makes this loss sting. Alain Vigneault had endorsed the decision earlier to send him down as the player had great potential, and deserved some more ice time for conditioning.
With Ryan Kesler out again, the Canucks have already been prepared to bring in some fresh faces, and Chicago Wolves winger Steve Pinizzotto will get his NHL debut with Vancouver on home ice against the LA Kings.
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