WPG puts Eric Tangradi on waivers.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) October 3, 2014
Placing Eric Tangradi on waivers has multiple implications for the team and the player. Teams have until 11 AM CDT Saturday to put in their claim, and priority is reverse of last years standings.
Contract status
Tangradi is in the second year of a two year 675k cap hit contract that was awarded just prior to arbritration. More importantly, his salary is one way. This is important for marginal NHL players like Tangradi. He will be paid 700k if he plays in the NHL or AHL. Coming into camp this works in favor of players like Tangradi and against younger players like Adam Lowry, Nicolas Petan, or even Matt Halischuk and T.J. Galiardi. They’re all on two-way contracts which makes it harder to crack the opening night roster.
23 man roster limit
No doubt Kevin Cheveldayoff has done this move to free up a spot on the 23 man roster. Matt Halischuk has played well in preseason and so has Adam Lowry who has played well in a top 9 role alongside Mathieu Perreault. There’s currently a bit of a jam in the forward group, and the attrition has already started. Given that players can be placed on injured reserve in order to hold them past the opening night deadline, placing Tangradi on waivers is a bit of a surprise.
What does this move mean for Chevy?
Kevin Cheveldayoff hasn’t really made moves like this in the past, is he starting to be more aggressive? It’s also possible that the Winnipeg Jets general manager wants Tangradi to be claimed, so that someone else can pay his guaranteed salary. If Tangradi were to remain unclaimed, we would be on the hook for his 700k salary and that would count against our internal cap regardless of where he plays.
Was it a wise move to place Tangradi on waivers? Does Chevy want him to be claimed? Will this help Lowry crack the opening night roster? Let us know what you think.
