Ducks Waive Christensen, Re-assign Beleskey

by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Nov 2, 2009 1:23 PM PST in **This Just In**

THE TELETYPE:

According to the OC Register, Anaheim has placed Erik Christensen on waivers and re-assigned Matt Beleskey to San Antonio. Also per the Register, Coach Carlyle hopes Christensen can build confidence in the minors if he is not claimed from the waiver wire.

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If someone picks up Christensen, Eric O’Dell was officially traded for nothing

Anaheim Calling

by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Nov 2, 2009 2:40 PM PST reply actions

I think this is more a reflection of how well the bottom 6 are playing together. Let’s face it, that Brown-Carter-Parros line is damn near untouchable, in terms of moving people around, and Nokelainen-Marchant-Artyukhin are showing signs of life. That left no place for Christensen. I liked the way he looked with Selanne and Koivu, but he was just extra weight. A lot like Calder who was sent packing at the end of training camp…wait.

by Daniel AC on Nov 2, 2009 3:35 PM PST reply actions

I just don’t understand this move. Although that may be true about the bottom six, you still need an extra forward on your 23 man roster. Reassigning both Beleskey and Christensen prevents them from using the health scratch as a coaching tool.

by yankeeken on Nov 2, 2009 4:38 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah, I find that strange as well. You have to think that Artyukhin convinced them he’s cleaned up his act or they’re ready to put Calder on the roster. Or maybe even that Carlyle is going to stick with this bottom 6 regardless.

Anaheim Calling

by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Nov 2, 2009 4:46 PM PST up reply actions

I think it’s good to reward the improved play that we’ve seen. I think at some point the healthy scratch becomes more of a hindrance than an effective coaching tool. I think it instills paranoia into the guys who are playing and they might start grabbing the sticks a little too hard. I think a little job security goes a long way in establishing chemistry on the ice. I’m not saying the healthy scratch hasn’t been effective, I’m just saying that coach’s often have to deal with their techniques going stagnant. If anything, Carlyle switching it up and trying a new form of motivation might pay stronger dividends in the long run.

by Daniel AC on Nov 2, 2009 6:13 PM PST reply actions

Agreed. I think that in some way, this was a reward to the bottom 6. It shows confidence in them and what they have been establishing lately. Likewise, Carlyle made it known that he’s impressed with Beleskey (I was as well) and clearly this is a chance for Calder to step up if he’s called upon as well.

This isn’t a blow to Christensen any more than it was to Ebbett. These guys just don’t fit in right now. I’m okay with that. I’m okay with the team we have gaining some chemistry and confidence in one another.

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by SK eleven on Nov 2, 2009 7:57 PM PST reply actions

I was also impressed with Beleskey. He was playing like he was going to get abused by his AHL host family or something. It was wild.

by Daniel AC on Nov 2, 2009 8:18 PM PST up reply actions

AHL players don’t have billet families. The abuse would have to be teammate related. Couldn’t be the coaches; he was the only Duck seeing regular playing time in San Antone.

Anaheim Calling

by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Nov 2, 2009 8:24 PM PST up reply actions