The Vancouver Canucks positioned ahead Nils Aman on NHL waivers Saturday morning. Surprisingly, no workforce claimed the 24-year-old. He’s now free to report back to the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks. Aman’s transfer offers Vancouver roster flexibility, however it additionally raises questions on how the Canucks will handle their middle depth shifting ahead.
Given how worthwhile facilities are within the NHL, I used to be shocked that Aman wasn’t picked up. His wage was properly underneath $1 million. Whereas he isn’t a lot for scoring, he’s a strong defensive participant.
Aman’s Unclaimed Waiver and Abbotsford Task
Aman, identified for his defensive reliability, has been a steady participant on the NHL degree. With the season properly underway and accidents piling up throughout the league, there was hypothesis that groups just like the Colorado Avalanche or Calgary Flames might need made a transfer for him. Nonetheless, he handed by means of waivers unclaimed. He’ll be part of Abbotsford, the place he can proceed contributing with out impacting Vancouver’s energetic roster.
Aman’s reassignment has one other attention-grabbing implication for the Canucks’ top-six lineup. In Saturday evening’s 3-2 win over the San Jose Sharks, Pius Suter discovered chemistry with Elias Pettersson and Conor Garland. Suter finally scored the game-winning aim within the last minute. This mixture appeared promising sufficient that Canucks administration may wish to give it a extra prolonged trial.
Nonetheless, shifting Suter to the wing to play within the high six leaves Vancouver with simply 4 facilities on their energetic roster: JT Miller, Elias Pettersson, Teddy Blueger, and Suter. If Suter strikes to wing completely, the Canucks may want one other middle to spherical out their lineup.
May the Canucks Name Up Aatu Räty?
Aatu Räty, who opened the season as Vancouver’s third-line middle earlier than being despatched to Abbotsford for additional improvement, could possibly be a robust candidate for the call-up. Räty has proven early promise this season, together with a current three-point sport with Abbotsford. Identified for his offensive ability, Räty’s playmaking might present further depth at middle, permitting Suter to thrive on the wing.
Though the Canucks might recall Aman, his waiver exemption means they could desire to let him settle in Abbotsford and provides Räty an opportunity to step up on the NHL degree. The workforce should consider whether or not Räty is able to contribute successfully in Vancouver or if continued improvement time is extra helpful.
The Backside Line: The Canucks’s Depth Technique
With Aman’s transfer to Abbotsford and the potential for Räty’s call-up, the Canucks are actively shaping their lineup to maximise scoring potential and adaptability. Followers ought to regulate Räty’s progress. His play with Abbotsford might quickly affect Vancouver’s middle depth and provides the Canucks one other promising possibility for his or her evolving lineup.
The Canucks may additionally be able to make one other transfer as Dakota Joshua readies to return to the workforce’s roster.
Associated: Why a Quinn Hughes “What If” Is Canucks’ Largest Downside
