Flames Claim Defenseman Nycholat Off Waivers from Canucks

The Calgary Flames announced on Tuesday that they have claimed defenseman Lawrence Nycholat off waivers from the Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks acquired Nycholat just prior to the 2008-09 season from the Ottawa Senators for forward Ryan Shannon. In 14 games so far this season, Nycholat has one assist. He is currently day-to-day with a groin injury. I'm sure this is a move Flames fans were not hoping for when it was rumored in recent weeks they were looking for a depth defenseman for the playoffs. More than likely, the asking price for any quality defenseman the Flames were interested in was high and they opted to go the route of a waiver claim, however one shouldn't rule out the Flames still making a trade by tomorrow if the price is right. Nycholat basically became expendable to the Canucks after they claimed Ossi Vaananen off waivers from the Flyers last week. Nycholat will likely fill the role of a sixth or seventh defenseman in Calgary.