Vancouver Canucks President and General Manager Mike Gillis announced today that the Canucks have acquired defenceman Nathan Paetsch from the Florida Panthers in exchange for defenceman Sean Zimmerman.
Paetsch, 27, split the 2009.10 season with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Buffalo Sabres. He registered two points (1-1-2) in 11 games with Buffalo and six penalty minutes in 10 games with Columbus. In 167 NHL games, the 6’1”, 198 lbs. defenceman has registered 42 points (7-35-42), 114 penalty minutes and has a plus-12 rating.
The Humboldt, SK native was originally selected by Washington 52nd overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He re-entered the 2003 NHL Entry Draft and was then selected 202nd overall by Buffalo.
Not sure why the Panthers would want Zimmerman? What's the AHL salary of each player (I"m guessing this was money type of move)? Canucks can afford to pay a few extra $$$, so that can take on more expensive minor leaguers.
My gut reaction, IF Paetsch hasn't been on waivers already...
Canucks get rid of Zimmerman and place Paestch on waivers. Given the reasonable salary of $525,000 for a depth defensemen, he gets claimed and the Canucks clear up both a spot on the Moose and a contract slot.
EDIT: D'oh. Thingamajig is right, Paetsch cleared waivers yesterday. Hm.
Please stop making minor deals with and for depth defensemen until you make the trade we've all been waiting for, namely that which centres around Kevin Bieksa.
Zimmerman was pushed way down the defensive depth chart this off-season, and looked just horrendous at camp. Not surprised since we have guys like Parent, Connauton, and Tanev down on the Moose now.
Paetsch can apparently play forward or defense (ie/ Montador), but he's on a one-way contract I think so colour me confused.
Freak, the Aquilini's have no problem sponging up more salary; though I guess the trading of O'Brien and Hordichuk helps a bunch.
someone else want to figure out if he's eligible for re-entry waivers?
Or perhaps the Moose wants him and is willing to pay his salary.. they seem to be loading up in an attempt to win a Calder Cup.
That's my thought. Another veteran presence for the Moose whom, if not subject to recall waivers, gives us an NHL-capable player to call up in the event of injuries. Definitely an area that Gillis wanted to address with Parent and now Paestch in the system.
I think this is pretty clearly a move for the Moose, they seem to be loading up for a Calder Cup run this year and Paetsch adds some experience to their blueline (which is otherwise full of rookies, pretty much).
someone else want to figure out if he's eligible for re-entry waivers?
Or perhaps the Moose wants him and is willing to pay his salary.. they seem to be loading up in an attempt to win a Calder Cup.
373 games in AHL and NHL, with only 44 in the past two years. I think that makes him re-entry waiver-exempt.
Edit to quote the CBA (§50.9 (g)):
Quote:
The Re-Entry Waiver procedure will not, however, be applicable to Veteran Minor League Players defined as follows... (ii) for defensemen and forwards, Players who have: (A) played in 320 or more professional games in North America (NHL, AHL and ECHL), and (B ) not spent more than 80 NHL games on NHL roster over the prior two (2) seasons or more than 40 NHL games on NHL roster in the immediately prior season.
well now, moose d is stacked a couple of vets down there to help the young kids like K.C, chris tanev, lee sweatt etc. the moose D will be a mix of puck-movers and defensive dman.
