The Vancouver Canucks kicked today off with a somewhat surprising transaction, placing Adam Cracknell on waivers for the purpose of reassignment to the Utica Comets of the AHL. 

Cracknell is the fourth regular, or semi-regular, Canucks skater this season to find themselves sent to Utica. He joins Brandon Prust and Chris Higgins as the Comets gear up for a run at the playoffs down the stretch.

This move isn’t overly surprising, in the sense that Vancouver hasn’t left Utica hanging to this point in their relationship and owed them a solid after the Hunter Shinkaruk trade. There was speculation among the Canucks Army staff as to whether this would involve an AHL transaction, similar to the Cory Conacher acquisition last season, but this route makes as much, if not more sense. 

Canucks general manager Jim Benning was trying to trade Cracknell, but likely found a shortage of suitors. Cracknell was included in a list of seven players (the garage sale seven) that was sent around the league, as available for the right price. 

Originally signed to a two-way contract, the Canucks found money in Cracknell and were able to get great value with him as their fourth line centre. Cracknell, 29, has set a new career high in goals, assists and games played this season with a 43GP 5G 5A stat line.

It’s a shame to see this great story interrupted. For the Canucks part, they landed great value with the Cracknell signing. Cracknell is on a two-way contract, which carries a negligible $575,000 charge at the NHL level and $175,000 in the AHL.

It’s unlikely Cracknell will go claimed. Teams are holding on to every dollar and cent as they enter the February 29th trade deadline. I also wouldn’t be overly surprised if we see Cracknell called back up in short order. He just needs to join the Comets roster, for a few minutes even, before he qualifies for the AHL playoffs.