This season was pretty interesting when it came to waiver storylines. We saw Stockholm claim V2A off of waivers, and then shortly after put in a claim to get Guntis Petenis from Quebec City (later withdrawn). However, as they fell back from the first waiver situation, New York Americans stepped in at the chance to secure one of the VHL's top defensemen Guntis Petenis from the Quebec City Meute. Apparently Frank Chadwick was unable to find the right deal, and instead decided to just let him go to the lowest seeded team, willing to take on the contract. The Americans claimed Petenis and then traded him to the Davos Dynamo HC for a Kopralkov brother and a 3rd in what could be a deep draft.
This move came with many criticisms:
@Bushito
@Frank
@hedgehog337
Petenis and the Davos Dynamo HC have now just eliminated the Riga Reign from the playoffs. New York Americans hold the Riga Reign 1st round draft pick in the upcoming draft (as well as the following draft), and have secured the 8th Overall pick, to compliment a top three pick as well. Was Petenis the reason why Davos won, maybe not. However by doing a simple no risk transaction the NYA Management was able to hypothetically move up two spots in the draft (had Riga won the Cup).
This is why it makes sense. This is why you would do this transaction.
In a draft with so many high-caliber prospects, moving up the potential 2 draft spots could be the difference between getting the guy they like, and getting the guy they love.