A Look at Why Chris Wagner Was Put on Waivers

Centerman Chris Wagner was claimed off of waivers today by the Colorado Avalanche from the Anaheim ducks. Many question why waivers would be made the management-chosen destination for a player who, while may not be contributing in the statistical column, has been a solid 4th line player with an impressive physical presence. 

It is a puzzling move, no doubt.  However there are reasons to look at as to why he was put in this situation.

What comes with a struggling team are all sorts of moves within the organization to attempt to shake up the roster and light a fire under some players to string together some good performances. The Ducks are a team that are going through this exact process of late. Wagner was called up from San Diego on October 26 and since then had been a solid 4th line center on a struggling Ducks team. The Ducks finally seemed to be bouncing back from their dismal start when they put together a four-game win streak. Now, having seemed to take a giant step back and lost 3 in a row, GM Bob Murray felt changes needed to be made. He called up forward Nick Ritchie from San Diego, who has been on fire to start the season. Ritchie has posted 9 goals and 3 assists in his 12 games played. Along with Ritchie, his center Michael Sgarbossa, so Ritchie would have someone that he has chemistry with. 

That put Murray in a spot where he needed to send someone down to not be over the roster cap. Ultimately it was decided that it would be Wagner, seeing that he was the most expandable of the eligible players for re-assignment. 

Murray clearly took the risk, as Wagner has a one-way contract which means any re-assignment to the minors requires him to clear waivers. The Ducks lost a good, hard-working player. It's a bit of a mess in Anaheim right now, and it will be interesting to see what other moves will made here in the near future.