Nic Petan placed on waivers

This just in, the Vancouver Canucks have placed 26 year old forward Nic Petan on waivers.

With the Canucks activating sniper Brock Boeser off the injured reserve today, it was clear that one of Petan or PTO contract signee Alex Chiasson would hit the waiver wire today and with Chiasson's strong play through training camp and pre-season it appears that he has earned himself a full-time spot with the Canucks.

Petan, a native of nearby North Delta, BC, will now report to the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks if he isn't claimed off waivers by another NHL team. Interestingly enough though, the Canucks have already lost two players to waivers this season with forward Jonah Gadjovich being claimed by the San Jose Sharks and forward Zack MacEwan being claimed by the Philadelphia Flyers. The team nearly lost former 5th overall draft pick Olli Juolevi to waivers also before general manager Jim Benning managed to find a trade partner for Juolevi in the Florida Panthers. The Canucks managed to acquire AHLer Noah Juulsen, an Abbotsford native, and 25 year old forward Juho Lammikko in exchange for Juolevi.

Lammiko was in competition with both Petan and Chiasson for a roster spot with the NHL's Canucks this season and, again, with Petan's demotion today it appears that he won out. He has gone pointless through three games to start the season, but has played a hard nose physical game that contrasts starkly with Petan's finesse game. In the end, there's just simply no role for Petan to play on this team when they have their full compliment of players healthy.

Petan put up seven goals and 15 points in 14 games with the AHL's Toronto Marlies last season and just a single point in seven games with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has spent the past three seasons in the Leafs organization after starting his career with the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets selected him in the 2nd round (43rd overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft and he had all the makings of a future NHLer when he put up a point per game season with the AHL's Manitoba Moose at just 21 years old. Five years later though and it looks as if the AHL is the best fit for Petan. Still... maybe someone will take a final chance on him at the NHL level?