Colombus Blue Jackets Place 6 Foot 5 Center on Waivers For Purpose of Assignment
The Columbus Blue Jackets have officially signed the 6-foot-5 center Joseph LaBate to a contract and placed him on waivers.
When most experts believed the team would announce a significant trade, likely involving top prospect David Jiricek, the Blue Jackets organization decided to add a player to its roster instead.
Indeed, Don Waddell, the team's general manager, reached a deal with the 31-year-old forward Joseph LaBate, who agreed on the terms of a one-year, two-way contract.
Here's the organization's official statement:
The insider Elliotte Friedman confirmed that the team placed the player on the waiver wire, with the intention of assigning him to the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL, where he was already playing under a professional tryout.
Check out his post on X:
It's safe to say he impressed management and the coaching staff his season. After a four-point tally in five games, he earned a standard player contact with the organization.
Drafted 101st by the Vancouver Canucks in 2011, LaBate spent the last season in the KHL, where he scored eight goals and ten assists in 49 games with the Nur-Sultan Barys, notably alongside former NHLers Pontus Aberg and Riley Barber.
12 years after his draft selection, he hasn't been able to stand out as a true NHL-caliber player. He has the size but lacks the skills to reach another step in his development.
Some might say this is an underwhelming acquisition considering the big rumors in Columbus, but getting a veteran with experience to help the younger prospects in the AHL can be very positive in the players' development.
The Cleveland Monsters are currently tied in the first rank of their division with the Laval Rocket, the Montreal Canadiens' affiliate team. The Blue Jackets have a lot going on in the AHL, with top prospects Denton Mateychuck and Gavin Brindley currently developing.
We'll know tomorrow if he clears waivers and remains with the Cleveland Monsters. Stay tuned.
