Defence: Frank Corrado, Vaughan, Ont., Sudbury (OHL)Terry Wilson
This was a bad gamble by the Vancouver Canucks.
In order to get down to the 23-man roster limit by Tuesday's deadline, they put 22-year-old defencemen Frank Corrado on waivers, hoping no one would claim him.
But the Toronto Maple Leafs had other ideas.
The Leafs put forward Richard Panik on waivers on Tuesday afternoon to clear a spot to add Corrado, a local kid who has impressed in 28 games with the Canucks over the last three seasons.
That gives Toronto eight defencemen heading into Wednesday's season opener against Montreal.
Corrado brings what the Leafs need. He's a right-hand shot (which Toronto has few of on the back end), a good puck mover and has some potential. He was captain of the Sudbury Wolves in junior and has been a solid contributor in the AHL the last two years.
Leafs coach Mike Babcock said they began doing extra scouting on him as soon as they saw he was on waivers.
"I did some background work," Babcock said. "I watched him yesterday on tape and did some background work [talking] to people who know him way better than me… [He] skates. Moves the puck. I thought he played well in the games I saw with Vancouver when I was watching yesterday.
"We can help him with his puck retrievals and his exits as well. But another young guy. [He'll] try to make our club better."
Corrado left Canucks camp bitterly disappointed on Monday when he was waived. Uncertain where he would end up, he flew home immediately to Toronto to see his family, which meant he was actually able to get to the Leafs practice rink within an hour of being claimed on waivers.
He got the call from Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello while he was at his grandmother's house in suburban Woodbridge and quickly scrambled to get to the arena.
Corrado said his family started "jumping around and hugging each other" when he found out he was a Leaf.
"There are no words to describe it," Corrado said. "It really is a dream come true… it's as good as it gets."
His initial impressions of Babcock and the team?
"This seems like a group that's pretty committed and focused and has a plan," he said.
After adding Corrado, the Leafs then got down to their 23-man roster before Tuesday's 5 p.m. deadline by putting Stephane Robidas on injured reserve and demoting rookie Scott Harrington to the minors.
Once Panik clears waivers or is claimed by another team, Toronto will be able to recall Harrington in time for the season opener.