Couldn't they have just gotten him for free? The only thing I can think of is that if they took Roy, they would have been reset in the waiver wire and would not have gotten Fraser??? I don't get it.
-MacT thought this was an upgrade on a player -MacT suggested Roy would be a motivated player after getting bounced around for the past few years -If the Oilers picked him up on waivers they couldn't trade Roy at the deadline. If they traded for him, they can trade him. -If the Oilers picked up both Roy and Fraser on waivers it would have put them right at 50 contracts and they couldn't add anyone else. This gives them a margin of flexibility.
So this is a win-win for a team at rock bottom. It couldn't get much worse at the centre spot. And, if Roy plays well he not only helps the team today but they might get a pick from trading him at the deadline to a team looking for depth at centre for a playoff run.
It didn't make sense to me at first either but now it does.
Thanks for explaining Beans! I had heard about the contract thing after digging a bit, but you explained in a bit more depth than I have heard anyone else. Much appreciated!
-If the Oilers picked him up on waivers they couldn't trade Roy at the deadline. If they traded for him, they can trade him.
Never heard of this before? Not questioning it's validity but is there a rule that deals with this and if so, why? Is it just to stop a terrible team from grabbing a guy off waivers that another team may want just in an attempt to get something for him? Makes some sense I guess, just never heard of it before.
I hadn't heard of it either but they were talking on the radio in Edmonton of why it was a trade rather than a waiver pick up and that was part of the explanation.