Canucks should claim Ty Rattie

Another day, and another player that should be claimed by the Canucks is on waivers.

This time, it’s former second round pick Ty Rattie who was placed on waivers by the St Louis Blues this morning.

The feature image is intentional – Ty Rattie played for the Portland Winterhawks from 2009 – 2013, where he posted 348 points in 269 regular season games. Portland is where current Canucks winger Sven Baertschi played his WHL days, and the two of them were absolutely dominant together.

The above picture is during the 2011-12 season, where Rattie and Baertschi led the Winterhawks in scoring. Baertschi turned pro the following summer, while Rattie returned to Portland and put up another 110 points. He followed that season up with 36 points in 21 WHL playoff games and then 12 points in 5 Memorial Cup games.

Rattie has been a productive player in the AHL throughout the duration of his ELC, looking to break through at the NHL level. He has appeared in 30 NHL contests over the past three seasons, where he has 8 points. Not remarkable production, but his point totals last season of 4 goals and 2 assist in 13 NHL contests is encouraging.

Unfortunately, due to his limited NHL action, we don’t have in-depth information on his underlying numbers.

The obvious connection to Sven Baerstchi is a one good reason to place a claim on Rattie. If you think they can recapture their previous chemistry and translate that to the NHL, then Rattie may be able to build up some confidence and use it as a leaping off point.

At this moment, the Canucks have 45 contracts on the books for this season, and Rattie is a pending RFA that is making $650,000. If the Canucks were to claim Rattie, they would be responsible for a $350,278 cap hit for the remainder of the season. They have enough room to take on that salary, and would have the roster space available by placing forward Jannik Hansen on IR. (Derek Dorsett, Erik Gudbranson, and Philip Larsen are currently on IR).

We’ve spoken about this many times, but the Canucks are in a position that making minor improvements in their lineup everywhere is a worthwhile venture. If you can add a player like Ty Rattie for no cost, it is worth looking at. At the very least, it improves the overall depth of the organization going forward.

Given that he is a pending RFA, if you feel that after seeing him in some games with the club that he isn’t a good long term option, then you would just not tender him a qualifying offer and let him walk as an RFA. But if he can get things going, and based on his WHL and AHL production, that isn’t a crazy thought process, then it’s worth the gamble.

Right now – the Canucks are currently 6th in waiver priority(due to point percentage). Colorado, Arizona (who has 50 contracts), Buffalo, Winnipeg and New Jersey, would have to pass on the young winger for the Canucks to have a chance at adding him.

Rattie is 23 years old, cost controlled, contract controlled and has produced at every level when given a chance. For the Canucks, a team who has admitted to wanting to compete for the playoffs every year while keeping an eye on the future, adding Rattie seems like a no brainer.