Capitals Claim Aaron Volpatti Off Waivers From Canucks

I am surprised that somebody took the Revelstoke, BC native off the waiver wire. I'm seeing a lot of seething Canucks fans poking at Mike Gillis for losing another tough guy and that the Canucks need to be tougher etc etc. But this is mostly irrelevant. First and foremost, Steve Pinizzotto is now traveling with the team and he, in my opinion from what I saw a few preseasons ago, and from what I am seeing with his stats with the Chicago Wolves and Hershey Bears, is just as ready to smack guys around (hitting and fighting) PLUS he has more offensive upside.

See? He's a beauty. I can't wait to see what he brings to the bottom 6. He just needs to stay healthy, as he has had shoulder and groin issues at bad times of the year (prior to or during training camp). By the way, Pinizzotto is listed as a right winger who can play center. He is listed as 6'1" and 205 pounds.

Anyway, back to Aaron Volpatti. He had this to say to the Province's Jim Jamieson today:

"I was a little surprised," said Volpatti. "Obviously, I didn’t play a couple games there in a row. Nonetheless, I was still surprised. I thought I was contributing and doing my job. "I understand why from a business standpoint, but it doesn’t make me any more satisfied that it happened." "I think the main thing was ice time," said Volpatti, 27. "They wanted me to play more. I agreed. I did want to play more. I’m a little disappointed to be leaving Vancouver, but hopefully I can get that opportunity in Washington."

More on that at The Province.

Let's give him a little salute and tribute, shall we?

Peppermint's first NHL goal, December 2010:

Here is his goal from this season:

How about a 1-punch KO of San Jose's Brad Winchester in 2011:

Watch him destroy Ryan Garbutt:

And ironically, this may have been the day the Capitals took notice of him, as he plasters Wideman and Perrault:

We wish you all the best in Washington, Aaron. Thanks for your efforts with the Canucks.