On Monday morning, the Vancouver Canucks announced that Anton Rodin was placed on unconditional waivers for purposes of being released from his contract. So ends a frustrating tenure for the talented Swede.
Anton Rodin was once among the Vancouver Canucks most talented prospects, but knee injuries slowed down his progress, and he never really got a chance. On Monday, the Canucks announced that they had cut ties with Rodin:
#Canucks place Anton Rodin on unconditional waivers for the purpose of being released from his contract. https://t.co/NfJh2obO2w
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) November 20, 2017
Rodin was drafted 53rd overall by the Canucks in 2009. He played three seasons for Brynäs of the SHL, and joined the Utica Comets and Canucks for brief tenures last season. But the Canucks never gave Rodin the full vote of confidence, and he wound up appearing in just three NHL games with the club.
As the Canucks stockpiled their prospects cupboard with the likes of Jake Virtanen, Brock Boeser, Kole Lind, Adam Gaudette and others, Rodin became the odd man out and wasn’t viewed as a future piece of the Canucks.
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Earlier this month, Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province noted that Rodin was running out of time to salvage a career with the Canucks, and that the team had to give him the opportunity.
But the NHL is a harsh world, where business trumps anything else.
With Rodin no longer with the Canucks, he could await an offer for another team, or head back to play in Europe. Rodin — who turns 27 tomorrow — will look for a fresh start after a frustrating tenure with Vancouver.
Per EliteProspects.com, Rodin scored 55 goals and 143 points in 223 SHL games, so we know he has the talent to be an impact player. It just didn’t happen with the Canucks, and it may not happen in the NHL.
Rick Dhaliwal of News 1130 added his two cents, and a statement from general manager Jim Benning:
The #Canucks have placed Anton Rodin has been placed on unconditional waivers today for the purpose of being released
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) November 20, 2017
from his contract. Zero luck with injuries and opportunity since the day he arrived in Vancouver, was playing in Utica on the 3rd line. Back to Sweden he goes.
"Anton asked to be released from his contract," said Benning. "We value the skill and depth he adds to our team but ultimately it was important to respect Anton's request to move on." #Canucks
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) November 20, 2017
With the Canucks in reset mode, many are sure to be critical of how the Canucks handled the situation. Rodin probably deserved a chance to play, considering that the team isn’t trying to win now — but rather give their young players the ice time and build for the future.
Next: Week 6 Top Prospects: Olli, Gadjovich & Pettersson
For Rodin, this finally ends a dragged-out nightmare. He still has plenty of hockey left in him, and should be able to succeed with a team that will give Rodin the opportunity to maximize his talents.