Quote:
Originally Posted by SLake
The NHL confirmed to Dirk yesterday that Andersson is in fact exempt from waivers this season, therefore I simply don't see any way the Preds keep him over either O'Reilly or Johnson/Sulzer.
Interesting caveat I was thinking about last night, the goal is obviously to lose neither, but I think the Preds would be happy with just keeping one, so Sulzer and Johnson we know both require waivers to be sent to Milwaukee, but only Sulzer requires recall waivers due to his salary. Does that give Sulzer the edge knowing that he would be risked on recall waivers before playing if needed to be recalled over Johnson who could be brought back up without waivers? I don't know...
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That tidbit certainly helps either Johnson or Sulzer over someone like Andersson. And you're also likely correct with the waiver situation potentially helping Sulzer.
That said, I really don't see Sulzer in the team's long term plans. He's an asset in Milwaukee that could be traded later as well, but I don't see him getting much playing time in the NHL even if he were to stay up (nor do I see much for Johnson either). Outside of trying to choose between Klein and Koistinen, I don't remember Trotz carrying more than six defensemen typically in recent years. This season, I think there's a clear line between the top six and the next set of players.
The current waiver situation may help either Johnson or Sulzer stay up now, but I think that Andersson will be back up at either's expense prior to the end of October if so (and barring no injuries on the blueline).
Put it this way, if waivers were completely put aside I think that Andersson would stay up. I think that Trotz is intrigued with him and his speed as well as still trying to piece those forward lines together. Of course, waiver situations can't be put aside while all those players are still here.